Former NAHL forward Hakkarainen signs with NHL's Blackhawks
May 6, 2019
Mikael Hakkarainen was named to the All-NAHL Rookie 2nd Team in 2015-16.
The NHL’s Chicago Blackhawks announced that they have agreed to terms with former NAHL forward Mikael Hakkarainen on three-year contract that runs through the 2021-22 season.
Drafted by Chicago in the fifth round (139th overall) of the 2018 National Hockey League Draft, Hakkarainen recorded 47 points (19G, 28A) in 42 regular-season games with the Muskegon Lumberjacks of the United States Hockey League (USHL) during the 2018-19 campaign.
The native of Espoo, Finland had an incredible rookie season for the Brookings Blizzard in the NAHL in 2015-16. Hakkarainen, who committed to play at Providence College while playing in the NAHL, recorded 40 points in 54 regular season games and was named to the All-NAHL Rookie 2nd Team in 2015-16.
The Helsinki, Finland native shared a team-high nine points (4G, 5A) in eight playoff contests with the Lumberjacks. He also appeared in one game with Providence College during the 2018-19 season. Over three seasons (2016-19) with Muskegon and the Chicago Steel, the 21-year-old forward has 111 points (43G, 68A) in 126 USHL regular-season games and 10 points (4G, 6A) in 13 postseason games.
