Jari Viuhkola (born 27 February 1980) is a Finnish former professional ice hockey centre. He represented Kärpät in the Finnish SM-liiga. Viuhkola's career ended with season 2014–2015, after suffering from knee injuries. His last playing sessions he met with Mestis-team Kajaanin Hokki.

Jari Viuhkola
Born (1980-02-27) 27 February 1980 (age 44)
Oulu, Finland
Height 6 ft 0 in (183 cm)
Weight 196 lb (89 kg; 14 st 0 lb)
Position Centre
Shot Left
SM-liiga team Kärpät
NHL draft 158th overall, 1998
Chicago Blackhawks
Playing career 1998–2015

Playing career

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After playing for Kärpät for his entire professional career to that date, Viuhkola signed a two-way contract with the New Jersey Devils in the 2007 offseason. After playing just one pre-season NHL game, Viuhkola was assigned to the Lowell Devils, New Jersey's AHL affiliate. After suffering a back injury and playing only ten games for Lowell, Viuhkola returned to Finland and signed a new contract with Kärpät. [1] He was winning the Finnish Championship on Liiga, in Finnish Kanada-malja in hockey season 2013–2014.Jari Viuhkola will have his playing number, #24 lifted up to Raksilas Oulu Energia-Areena roof.

Career statistics

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    Regular season   Playoffs
Season Team League GP G A Pts PIM GP G A Pts PIM
1998–99 Kärpät Fin 1st div 14 5 5 10 6 4 0 1 1 0
1999–00 Kärpät 1st div 31 6 15 21 59 7 1 0 1 2
2000–01 Kärpät SM-liiga 54 5 8 13 32 9 0 1 1 6
2001–02 Kärpät SM-liiga 46 8 14 22 24 4 1 0 1 6
2002–03 Kärpät SM-liiga 49 15 17 32 56 15 4 8 12 10
2003–04 Kärpät SM-liiga 53 25 31 56 34 14 3 5 8 4
2004–05 Kärpät SM-liiga 44 15 16 31 30 12 5 10 15 6
2005–06 Kärpät SM-liiga 46 12 27 39 40 11 2 8 10 4
2006–07 Kärpät SM-liiga 37 7 38 45 40 10 4 6 10 6
2007–08 Lowell Devils AHL 10 0 3 3 4
2007–08 Kärpät SM-liiga 9 1 9 10 8 15 5 7 12 8
2008–09 Kärpät SM-liiga 49 10 36 46 18 15 0 11 11 4
SM-liiga totals 418 104 211 315 341 112 25 56 81 56

International play

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Viuhkola played for Team Finland in the 2007 IIHF World Championship. Viuhkola spent most of the tournament centering Team Finland's top line with Ville Peltonen and Jere Lehtinen, but played poorly and did not manage a single assist in the tournament. [2]

International statistics

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Year Team Comp GP G A Pts PIM
2005 Finland WC 3 0 0 0 0
2006 Finland WC 7 1 1 2 2
2007 Finland WC 8 3 0 3 0
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