Roope Laavainen

Roope Laavainen (born 23 August 1998) is a Finnish professional ice hockey defenceman who is currently playing for HPK of the Finnish Liiga. He was selected by the Chicago Blackhawks in the fourth round, 119th overall, of the 2017 NHL Entry Draft.

Roope Laavainen
Born	(1998-08-23) 23 August 1998 (age 26) Helsinki, Finland
Height	6 ft 2 in (188 cm)
Weight	201 lb (91 kg; 14 st 5 lb)
Position	Defenseman
Shoots	Right
Liiga team Former teams	HPK Jukurit
NHL draft	119th overall, 2017 Chicago Blackhawks
Playing career	2017–present

Playing career

Laavainen played as a youth with Jokerit's U20 team in the Jr. A, prior to his selection to the Blackhawks.^[1] He left the Jokerit organization to remain in Finland and sign a three-year contract with HPK of the Liiga on 28 April 2017.^[2]

During the 2018–19 season, Laavainen registered 2 points in 10 games with HPK before he was loaned for two months to fellow Liiga club, Mikkelin Jukurit, on 27 November 2018.^[3] Adding 1 assist in 5 games with Jukurit, Laavainen returned to HPK on 8 January 2019.

Career statistics

				Regular season						Playoffs
Season	Team	League		GP	G	A	Pts	PIM		GP	G	A	Pts	PIM
2016–17	Jokerit	Jr. A		48	5	16	21	42		—	—	—	—	—
2017–18	HPK	Liiga		39	0	4	4	31		—	—	—	—	—
2017–18	LeKi	Mestis		15	1	1	2	4		5	1	2	3	2
2018–19	HPK	Jr. A		3	0	1	1	2		3	1	2	3	2
2018–19	HPK	Liiga		15	1	2	3	2		2	0	0	0	0
2018–19	TUTO Hockey	Mestis		5	1	0	1	2		—	—	—	—	—
2018–19	Jukurit	Liiga		5	0	1	1	4		—	—	—	—	—
2018–19	LeKi	Mestis		17	4	8	12	6		10	1	1	2	6
Liiga totals				59	1	7	8	37		2	0	0	0	0

Awards & honors

Award	Year
Liiga
Champion (HPK)	2019