Santeri Hatakka

Santeri Hatakka (born 15 January 2001) is a Finnish professional ice hockey defenceman for HV71 of the Swedish Hockey League (SHL).

Santeri Hatakka
Hatakka with the Utica Comets in 2023
Born	(2001-01-15) 15 January 2001 (age 24) Riihimäki, Finland
Height	6 ft 0 in (183 cm)
Weight	182 lb (83 kg; 13 st 0 lb)
Position	Defence
Shoots	Left
SHL team Former teams	HV71 Ilves San Jose Sharks New Jersey Devils
NHL draft	184th overall, 2019 San Jose Sharks
Playing career	2019–present

Playing career

Hatakka played his junior career in the Jokerit system, and was an alternate captain for their under-20 team in the 2018–19 season.^[1] Following that season, he was drafted in the sixth round, 184th overall, of the 2019 NHL entry draft by the San Jose Sharks.^[2]

Hatakka made his professional debut during the 2019–20 season, splitting time between Ilves in the Liiga and their farm club Koovee. He scored three points in 28 Liiga games.^[1]

On 12 May 2021, Hatakka signed a three-year, entry-level contract with the Sharks.^[3] He made his NHL debut for the Sharks on 30 October, in a 2–1 win over the Winnipeg Jets.^[4] On 9 November, Hatakka recorded his first NHL point, an assist, in a 4–1 win over the Calgary Flames.^[5]

In the 2022–23 season Hatakka played just eight games, all at the AHL level, due to a major upper-body injury sustained early in the year.^[6] On 26 February 2023, Hatakka was traded to the New Jersey Devils along with Timo Meier in a multi-player trade.^[7] Hatakka was recalled to the Devils on 18 January 2024, as multiple of their regular defencemen were injured or sick. He made his debut for the team on 22 January, in a 6–5 overtime win against the Vegas Golden Knights.^[8][9]

After two seasons within the Devils organization, Hatakka left at the completion of his contract and left North America to sign a two-year contract with Swedish club, HV71 of the Swedish Hockey League (SHL), on 29 April 2025.^[10]

International play

Hatakka has represented Finland at the under-16, under-17, under-18, and under-20 levels, including semifinal appearances at the 2020 and 2021 World Junior Ice Hockey Championships, at the latter of which he was an alternate captain and won a bronze medal. Across his two World Junior appearances, he scored three points in 14 games.^[1]

Personal life

Hatakka’s older sister is professional footballer Sanni Franssi.^[11]

Career statistics

Regular season and playoffs

				Regular season						Playoffs
Season	Team	League		GP	G	A	Pts	PIM		GP	G	A	Pts	PIM
2017–18	Jokerit	U20 SM-liiga		46	4	12	16	28		—	—	—	—	—
2018–19	Jokerit	U20 SM-liiga		43	4	9	13	30		—	—	—	—	—
2019–20	Ilves	Liiga		28	1	2	3	14		—	—	—	—	—
2019–20	Koovee	Mestis		15	2	5	7	6		—	—	—	—	—
2020–21	Ilves	Liiga		44	1	6	7	34		5	0	0	0	2
2021–22	San Jose Sharks	NHL		9	0	2	2	2		—	—	—	—	—
2021–22	San Jose Barracuda	AHL		41	3	9	12	22		—	—	—	—	—
2022–23	San Jose Barracuda	AHL		8	0	2	2	2		—	—	—	—	—
2023–24	Utica Comets	AHL		48	5	15	20	32		—	—	—	—	—
2023–24	New Jersey Devils	NHL		12	0	2	2	4		—	—	—	—	—
2024–25	Utica Comets	AHL		19	1	1	2	20		—	—	—	—	—
NHL totals				21	0	4	4	6		—	—	—	—	—

International

Medal record
Men's ice hockey
Representing  Finland
World Junior Championships
	2021 Canada

Year	Team	Event	Result		GP	G	A	Pts	PIM
2017	Finland	U17	6th		5	0	1	1	2
2019	Finland	U18	7th		5	0	0	0	2
2020	Finland	WJC	4th		7	0	1	1	4
2021	Finland	WJC			7	1	1	2	4
Junior totals					24	1	3	4	12