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Born	May 22, 1975 (1975-05-22) (age 34), Raahe, FIN
Height Weight	6 ft 1 in (1.85 m) 220 lb (100 kg; 15 st 10 lb)
Position	Defence
Shoots	Left
SEL team F. teams	HV71 NHL Philadelphia Flyers Edmonton Oilers New York Islanders Dallas Stars Montreal Canadiens SM-liiga Jokerit Kärpät Elitserien Malmö IF
Ntl. team	Finland
NHL Draft	36th overall, 1993 Philadelphia Flyers
Playing career	1993 – present

Janne Niinimaa (born May 22, 1975 in Raahe, Finland) is a professional ice hockey defenceman who has played over 700 games in the NHL. He was selected in the second round of the 1993 NHL Entry Draft, 36th overall, by the Philadelphia Flyers. Niinimaa is currently playing with HV71 in the Swedish elite league Elitserien.

Following three seasons playing with Jokerit in Helsinki, Finland, Niinimaa made his debut with the Flyers in the 1996–97 NHL season, posting 44 points and a +12 rating, and being named to the NHL All-Rookie Team.

The following season Niinimaa was traded to the Edmonton Oilers, where he spent parts of six seasons. Earning himself an All-Star appearance in the 2000–01 NHL regular season. He was traded to the New York Islanders in 2003 and then was traded to the Montreal Canadiens. During the NHL lockout, Niinimaa returned to play in his native Finland. Niinimaa has twice represented Finland at the Winter Olympics, winning a bronze medal in 1998, and was on the national team when Finland won its only world championship gold medal.

On a miscellaneous note, he has a tattoo that covers his back which was shown during his interview at Tomson's Place, during Sportsnet trade deadline coverage.

Transactions

• June 26, 1993 – Drafted by the Philadelphia Flyers .
• March 24, 1998 – Traded by Philadelphia to the Edmonton Oilers in exchange for Dan McGillis and a 2nd round draft pick (Philadelphia selected Jason Beckett)
• March 11, 2003 – Traded by the Edmonton Oilers to the New York Islanders along with a second round draft pick (New York selected Evgeni Tunik) in exchange for Brad Isbister and Raffi Torres
• January 10, 2005 – Traded by the New York Islanders to the Dallas Stars along with a fifth round draft pick in exchange for John Erskine and a second round draft pick.
• September 30, 2006 – Traded by the Dallas Stars along with a fifth round pick in 2007 to the Montreal Canadiens in exchange for Mike Ribeiro and a 2008 sixth round pick.
• September 14, 2007 – Signed by HC Davos of the Swiss National League.
• August 14, 2008 – Signed by Kärpät of the SM-liiga.
• November 27, 2008 – Signed by SCL Tigers of the Swiss National League.
• August 16, 2009 – Signed by HV71 of Elitserien.

Career statistics

External links

• Janne Niinimaa at TSN.ca
• Niinimaa Family
• Janne Niinimaa's career stats at The Internet Hockey Database