Ducks Sign Jani Hakanpää

Photo: Timo Savela

By Michael Walters

According to Hämeen Sanomat, 27-year-old 6’5″ defenseman Jani Hakanpää has signed a one year, one way deal with the Anaheim Ducks. Hakanpää is a right-handed defenseman who was first drafted in the 4th round of the 2010 NHL Draft by the St. Louis Blues. He has yet to play in an NHL game.

Hakanpaa brings a very gritty and hard-nosed style of play to the blueline and plays a solid defensive game. He has a large frame and can throw the body around with the best of them. He skates fairly well for a player his size but doesn’t have much of an offensive upside. He appears to fit the bill of the stay home defenseman that General Manager Bob Murray has talked about acquiring.

Last season he registered 23 total points(11 goals and 12 assists) with 94 penalty minutes and a +29 in 52 games in Finland. He also had 1 goal and 2 assist in 13 playoff games.

He will likely play with the San Diego Gulls next season.

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April 27th, 2019