Lenni Hämeenaho

Lenni Hämeenaho
Hämeenaho with Porin Ässät in 2023
Born (2004-11-07) November 7, 2004
Kajaani, Finland
Height 185 cm (6 ft 1 in)
Weight 84 kg (185 lb; 13 st 3 lb)
Position Right wing
Shoots Right
NHL team (P)
Cur. team
Former teams		 New Jersey Devils
Utica Comets (AHL)
Porin Ässät
National team  Finland
NHL draft 58th overall, 2023
New Jersey Devils
Playing career 2022–present

Lenni Hämeenaho (Finnish: [ˈlenːi ˈhæmeːnˌɑho], born November 7, 2004) is a Finnish professional ice hockey player who is a right winger for the Utica Comets of the American Hockey League (AHL) while under contract to the New Jersey Devils of the National Hockey League (NHL). He was selected by the Devils 58th overall, in the second round of the 2023 NHL entry draft.

Playing career

Junior

Hämeenaho started playing hockey at the age of four.[1] His youth club was Kajaanin Hokki and played there until the spring of 2018, when Hämeenaho and his older brother Veikka moved to Ylivieskan Jääkarhut's U16 team at the age of 13,[2] when Hokki had difficulties assembling a U16 team. The entire Hämeenaho family also moved to Ylivieska.[3][4] Hämeenaho was the team's top scorer in both the U16 Mestis qualifiers with 46 points and the U16 Mestis with 27 points.[5]

Entering the 2019–20 season, Hämeenaho, along with his brother Veikka and defenseman Valtteri Viirret, transferred from YJK to HC Ässät Pori through a tryout when the club's head coach Jaakko Välimaa contacted them. The entire Hämeenaho family moved to Pori to follow the brothers' hockey career.[2][3] Lenni Hämeenaho was the team's top point scorer, goal scorer and assister in the U16 SM-sarja qualifiers with 50 points. In the U16 SM-sarja, he led the team in goals tied with Juuso Rajala with ten goals.[6] In the 2020–21 season, Hämeenaho led the U18 SM-sarja in points, goals and assists with 23 goals and 37 assists totaling 60 points. He scored 14 more points than his teammate Jesperi Kaukonen, who finished second in points,[7] but the Matti Hagman Award, which is given to the best point scorer, was not awarded as COVID-19 restrictions reduced the number of games for some teams. However, Hämeenaho was awarded the Esa Tikkanen Award as the best player in the entire U18 SM-sarja and was selected to the first All-Star team.[8]

In the 2021–22 season, Hämeenaho was the second-best goal scorer and fourth-best in points of the Ässät U20 team with 21 goals and 37 points.[9] He shared third place in the entire U20 SM-sarja with Vili Munkki of HC TPS, Oskari Luoto of Tappara and Tomi Palo of HPK.[10] Hämeenaho was chosen as the rookie of the month in November.[11] He also made his senior debut during the season, when in January 2022, Ässät loaned Hämeenaho and six other players to the Mestis team Kokkolan Hermes on to gain experience while the Ässät U20 team's games were on hiatus due to COVID-19 restrictions.[12] Hämeenaho played three regular season games there without scoring any points.[13]

Professional

Porin Ässät (2022–2025)

In April 2022, Hämeenaho signed a three-year Liiga contract with the HC Ässät.[14] He made his professional debut at the age of 17 in the opening round of the 2022–23 season on September 14, 2022, away against Ilves. Hämeenaho was assigned on the right wing of the fourth line alongside Kalle Myllymaa and Niklas Appelgren.[15] He received 13.26 minutes of ice time in the game.[16] Hämeenaho scored his first two goals on October 29, 2022, away against KooKoo. He was involved in every goal for his team in the game, which ended in a 3–4 loss. Miika Katajainen selected him as the third star of the game.[17] Hämeenaho established himself in the Ässät third line, playing a total of 51 regular season games with 21 points and eight playoff games with four points during his rookie season.[18] Hämeenaho tied for the team's top scorer in the playoffs with Joachim Rohdin and Jesse Joensuu.[19] On July 29, 2023, Hämeenaho was selected 58th overall by the New Jersey Devils in the 2023 NHL Entry Draft.[20][21]

Hämeenaho began the 2023–24 season on a hot streak, leading Ässät with nine goals and 14 points in the first 18 games.[22] Slowing down somewhat over the rest of the year, he finished with 14 goals and 31 points in 45 games, and Ässät missed the playoffs by just two points.[23] Joining Ässät's under-20 team for their playoffs, Hämeenaho recorded 12 points in six games en route to a championship victory.[24] The following 2024–25 season, Hämeenaho established himself as a leading forward for Ässät, as he led the team in goals with 20 and was second in points with 51 just behind linemate Jan-Mikael Järvinen.[25] Hämeenaho scored four points in two Winter Classic games against Satakunnan derby rivals Rauman Lukko in January 2025.[26][27]

New Jersey Devils (2025–present)

Hämeenaho signed a three-year, entry-level contract with his draft club, the New Jersey Devils, on May 8, 2025.[28] On October 6, he was named to the team's opening night roster,[29] however the following day he was assigned to the Utica Comets, the Devils' American Hockey League (AHL) affiliate.[30] He made his NHL debut on January 19, 2026, in a 2–1 victory over the Calgary Flames.[31] Four days later, he scored his first NHL goal before adding his first assist in a 5–4 victory over the Vancouver Canucks.[32]

International play

Medal record
Men's ice hockey
Representing  Finland
World U18 Championship
2022 Germany

Hämeenaho represented Finland in the European Youth Olympic Festival in 2022, recording two goals and three assists for five points.[33]

He won a bronze medal with Finland under-18 team at the 2022 World U18 Championships. In a game against Sweden, he was chosen as Finland's best player of the game.[34]

He played for Finland junior team at the 2023 Junior Ice Hockey Championships, scoring two points in five games.[34] Hämeenaho rejoined Finland's squad for the following year.[35] He scored four goals and six points, including two goals in the bronze medal game where Finland conceded six straight goals, blowing a 5–2 lead to lose 8–5 to the Czech Republic.[36]

He was selected to Finland senior team in April 2025 and represented it in the 2025 IIHF World Championship.[37]

Personal life

Hämeenaho's brother, Veikka, also plays in the Ässät organization, on the under-20 team as of the 2023–24 season.[38] Hämeenaho's father, Jarmo, represented Kajaanin Hokki in the Mestis and has been a coach for Hokki and Ässät's junior teams.[39][40][41]

Hämeenaho attended high school at the Porin suomalainen yhteislyseo.[42]

Career statistics

Regular season and playoffs

Regular season Playoffs
Season Team League GP G A Pts PIM GP G A Pts PIM
2020–21 Porin Ässät U20 SM-sarja 1 0 0 0 2 — — — — —
2021–22 Porin Ässät U20 SM-Sarja 42 21 16 37 12 3 0 1 1 2
2021–22 Kokkolan Hermes Mestis 3 0 0 0 0 — — — — —
2022–23 Porin Ässät Liiga 51 9 12 21 14 8 3 1 4 2
2023–24 Porin Ässät Liiga 46 14 17 31 10 — — — — —
2023–24 Porin Ässät U20 SM-sarja — — — — — 6 4 8 12 2
2024–25 Porin Ässät Liiga 58 20 31 51 28 10 1 4 5 4
Liiga totals 155 43 60 103 52 18 4 5 9 6

International

Year Team Event Result GP G A Pts PIM
2022 Finland U18 6 2 1 3 2
2023 Finland WJC 5th 5 1 1 2 0
2024 Finland WJC 4th 7 4 2 6 4
2025 Finland WC 7th 8 1 3 4 2
Junior totals 18 7 4 11 6
Senior totals 8 1 3 4 2

Awards and honors

Award Year Ref
U18 SM-sarja
Esa Tikkanen Award 2020–21 [34]

References

  1. ^ Sihvonen, Varpu (September 16, 2021). "Tulokashyökkääjä Hämeenaho Ässäpakan valttikortti". Leijonat.fi (in Finnish). Suomen Jääkiekkoliitto ry – Finlands Ishockeyförbund rf. Archived from the original on September 14, 2022.
  2. ^ a b Seppänen, Antti (October 23, 2020). "Ässien tehoketjun laituri ponnisti Kajaanista kohti kirkkaampia valoja – "Haluan tuoda oveluutta ja maalipaikkoja"". Leijonat.fi (in Finnish). Suomen Jääkiekkoliitto ry – Finlands Ishockeyförbund rf. Archived from the original on September 14, 2022.
  3. ^ a b Laiho, Harri (September 16, 2022). "Koko perheen rohkea ratkaisu". Helsingin Sanomat (in Finnish). Retrieved January 24, 2026.
  4. ^ Touru, Ville (December 31, 2022). "Tämä perhe on muuttanut ympäri Suomen jääkiekon perässä – nyt poika on maajoukkueen tähti". Ilta-Sanomat (in Finnish). Retrieved January 24, 2026.
  5. ^ "YJK U16 2018-2019". eliteprospects.com. Retrieved January 24, 2026.
  6. ^ "Ässät U16 2019-2020". eliteprospects.com. Retrieved January 24, 2026.
  7. ^ "U18 SM-sarja 2020-2021". eliteprospects.com. Retrieved January 24, 2026.
  8. ^ Mennander, Pasi (April 9, 2021). "U18 SM-sarjan kauden 2020–21 palkitut pelaajat ja tähtikentät". Leijonat.fi (in Finnish). Retrieved January 24, 2026.
  9. ^ "Ässät U20 2021-2022". eliteprospects.com. Retrieved January 24, 2026.
  10. ^ "U20 SM-sarja 2021-2022". eliteprospects.com. Retrieved January 24, 2026.
  11. ^ Mennander, Pasi. "Leijonat - Ässien Lenni Hämeenaho nimettiin U20 SM-sarjan marraskuun parhaaksi nuoreksi pelaajaksi" (in Finnish). Archived from the original on November 6, 2022. Retrieved January 24, 2026.
  12. ^ "Ässät lainaa nuoria pelaajia Mestikseen". Archived from the original on June 4, 2023. Retrieved January 24, 2026.
  13. ^ "Lenni Hämeenaho". eliteprospects.com. Retrieved January 24, 2026.
  14. ^ "Nuori hyökkääjälupaus Lenni Hämeenaho jatkaa Porissa kevääseen 2025 saakka". Jatkoaika.com - Kaikki jääkiekosta (in Finnish). April 22, 2022. Retrieved January 24, 2026.
  15. ^ "Liiga.fi | Kausi 2022-23 | Ottelu". liiga.fi (in Finnish). Retrieved January 24, 2026.
  16. ^ "Liiga.fi | Kausi 2022-23 | Ottelu". liiga.fi (in Finnish). Retrieved January 24, 2026.
  17. ^ "Liiga.fi | Kausi 2022-23 | Ottelu". liiga.fi (in Finnish). Retrieved January 24, 2026.
  18. ^ "Ässien pelaaja-arviot 2022−23: Toivoa herättänyt kausi sisälsi myös pettymyksiä". Jatkoaika.com - Kaikki jääkiekosta (in Finnish). April 18, 2023. Retrieved January 24, 2026.
  19. ^ "Ässät - Roster, News, Stats & more". www.eliteprospects.com. Retrieved January 24, 2026.
  20. ^ Fischer, John (June 29, 2023). "2023 NHL Draft: Devils Pick Lenni Hämeenaho at 58th Overall in the Second Round". All About The Jersey. Retrieved June 29, 2023.
  21. ^ "Ässien Lenni Hämeenaho varattiin Erik Haulan seuraan NHL:ssä". Satakunnan Kansa (in Finnish). June 29, 2023. Retrieved June 29, 2023.
  22. ^ Alanen, Lassi (November 4, 2023). "Finland Stock Watch: It's the Lenni Hämeenaho show in Ässät". eprinkside.com. Elite Prospects. Retrieved April 12, 2024.
  23. ^ Gaudio, Julian (March 28, 2024). "Pair Of Devils European Prospects Seasons Come To An End". thehockeynews.com. The Hockey News. Retrieved April 12, 2024.
  24. ^ Alanen, Lassi [@lassialanen] (April 12, 2024). "Ässät has taken down the U20 league title, winning the finals against TPS 3-1. The team placed 8th in the regular season, almost missing the playoffs all together. Playing a key role in the playoff run, Lenni Hämeenaho (#NJDevils) added 12 points in 6 games" (Tweet). Retrieved April 12, 2024 – via X (formerly Twitter).
  25. ^ "Ässien pelaaja-arviot | Suuria epäonnistujia ei Ässissä ollut, kaksi nousi yli muiden – oletko samaa mieltä arvioista?". Satakunnan Kansa (in Finnish). April 10, 2025. Retrieved January 24, 2026.
  26. ^ "Liiga.fi | Kausi 2024-25 | Ässät – Lukko | 25.1.2025 | Ottelutilastot". liiga.fi (in Finnish). Retrieved January 24, 2026.
  27. ^ Kallioniemi, Esko (January 24, 2025). "Satakunnan derby palasi ulkojäille – Lukko vei avausosan". Etelä-Suomen Sanomat (in Finnish). Retrieved January 24, 2026.
  28. ^ "Hameenaho Inks Entry-Level Contract". New Jersey Devils. May 8, 2025. Retrieved May 9, 2025 – via nhl.comb.
  29. ^ Flannery, Kristy (October 6, 2025). "Lachance Takes Hämeenaho Under Wing As They Start Season With Devils". The Hockey News. Retrieved October 7, 2025.
  30. ^ "Hameenaho, Lachance Assigned to Utica". New Jersey Devils. October 7, 2025. Retrieved October 7, 2025 – via www.nhl.com.
  31. ^ "Nemo Plays OT Hero - Again!". National Hockey League. New Jersey Devils. January 19, 2026. Retrieved January 23, 2026.
  32. ^ "Devils Win a Wild One in Vancouver". National Hockey League. January 24, 2026. Retrieved January 25, 2026.
  33. ^ Mennander, Pasi. "Leijonat - Pikkuleijonat turnausvoittoon Euroopan Nuorten Olympiafestivaaleilla – Venäjä kaatui finaalissa maalein 4–3 – Näin ottelu eteni". www.leijonat.fi (in Finnish). Archived from the original on January 5, 2023. Retrieved January 5, 2023.
  34. ^ a b c "Lenni Hämeenaho at eliteprospects.com". www.eliteprospects.com. Retrieved January 4, 2023.
  35. ^ Robinson, Cam (December 13, 2023). "Chasing Glory: The top players to watch at the 2024 World Junior Championships". EP Rinkside. Elite Prospects. Retrieved December 16, 2023.
  36. ^ Nichols, James (January 5, 2024). "Devils Hameenaho, Finland Stunned in WJC Bronze Medal Game". newjerseyhockeynow.com. New Jersey Hockey Now. Retrieved January 5, 2024.
  37. ^ "Lenni Hämeenaho ja Jan-Mikael Järvinen ensimmäistä kertaa Leijoniin". Yle Urheilu (in Finnish). April 11, 2025. Retrieved May 9, 2025.
  38. ^ "Veikka Hämeenaho at eliteprospects.com". www.eliteprospects.com. Retrieved January 5, 2023.
  39. ^ "Perheen koti, työt ja elämä Kajaanissa jäivät taakse poikien harrastuksen vuoksi – Mummokin seurasi perässä tuntemattomaan Poriin". Helsingin Sanomat (in Finnish). September 16, 2022. Retrieved January 4, 2023.
  40. ^ "Jarmo Hämeenaho at eliteprospects.com". www.eliteprospects.com. Retrieved January 5, 2023.
  41. ^ Touru, Ville (December 31, 2022). "Tämä perhe on muuttanut ympäri Suomen jääkiekon perässä – nyt poika on maajoukkueen tähti". Ilta-Sanomat (in Finnish). Retrieved October 21, 2023.
  42. ^ Seppänen, Antti. "Leijonat - U18 SM: Ässien tehoketjun laituri ponnisti Kajaanista kohti kirkkaampia valoja – "Haluan tuoda oveluutta ja maalipaikkoja"". www.leijonat.fi (in Finnish). Retrieved January 4, 2023.
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