Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

And he’s still only 23

-

Moments of note in Olli Maatta’s still brief Penguins career:

June 22, 2012: Just 17, he is selected in the first round (22nd overall) by the Penguins in the NHL Entry Draft. Coincident­ally, the draft is held at PPG Paints Arena, where 15 months later he will make his NHL home. Oct. 3, 2013: Makes his NHL debut in a 3-0 win vs. New Jersey. Oct. 8, 2013: Scores the first points of his NHL career, assisting on two goals by Jussi Jokinen in the Penguins’ 5–2 win vs. the Carolina Hurricanes.

Oct. 19, 2013: Scores his first NHL goal, beating Vancouver goalie Roberto Luongo.

Feb. 7-23, 2014: Despite being only 19, plays for Finland’s Olympic team in the Sochi Games and helps it earn a bronze medal.

Oct. 27, 2014: It is announced the he will undergo surgery to have a tumor removed from his neck.

Nov. 18, 2014: Just two weeks after surgery, he returns to the lineup.

Dec. 6, 2014: His right shoulder is injured — an injury that requires seasonendi­ng surgery.

June 12, 2016: Earns his first Stanley Cup ring, averaging about 18 minutes of ice time in the Penguins’ postseason run.

Feb. 17, 2017: Breaks his hand and will miss six weeks, but returns in time to play in 25 postseason games, registerin­g eight points including two goals.

June 11, 2017: At age 22, he earns his second Stanley Cup ring. Nov. 4, 2017: Enters the Penguins 16th game of the 2017-18 season in Vancouver with nine points — second among team defensemen.

 ??  ??
 ??  ??

Newspapers in English

Newspapers from United States