29-year old pro hockey player Jane Puhakka murdered, 65-year old boyfriend arrested
Janne Puhakka, last played pro hockey in France in 2018. Puhakka, however, was found dead in his home, at the young age of 29.
With the numerous deaths happening in the professional hockey world this week, we add another untimely passing with Puhakka's this week.
The revelations have rocked the hockey world, that Puhakka, the first openly gay hockey player, who played in Finland's SM-Liiga, the highest level of hockey in the country was a victim of a senseless, and brutal crime.
It was reported by local media Ilta-Sanomat, that after a request by a local citizen, Puhakka was found dead in his home. The only suspect authorities have now is Puhakka's former partner, Rolf Nordmo.
Nordmo surrendered himself to the authorities, and Investigator Matti Hogman believes they have a good idea of how Puhakka's life ended.
Puhakka was well known to European fans, but not in North America. He played for the Espoo Blues in 2016, before moving on to the Mestis League( the 2nd highest pro league in Finland).
Puhakka played 40 Liiga games for his hometown Espoo Blues in 2015-16, recording a goal and an assist. He spent the better part of two seasons in the Mestis, Finland's second-tier league, before spending the 2017-18 season with the Gap Rapaces in France's Ligue Magnus.
He would finish his hockey career playing in France for Gap HC. He did spend a short time of his career in the QMJHL with the Chicoutimi, scoring 69 points in 131 games with the junior club.
«Janne Puhakka was an important role model, and his courage and openness left an indelible mark on Finnish hockey,» the Finnish Liiga said in a social media post on Monday.
Puhakka would come out openly in October 2019, after he fully retired from playing professional hockey.
We here at Hawks Insider extend our deepest condolences to the family and friends of Janne Puhakka.
