Topi Rönni (born May 5, 2004) is a Finnish professional ice hockey forward who currently plays for HK Dukla Michalovce of the Slovak Extraliga. He previously played for HPK and Tappara of the SM-liiga. He was selected in the second round, 59th overall in the 2022 NHL Entry Draft by the Calgary Flames.

Topi Rönni
Born (2004-05-05) May 5, 2004 (age 20)
Hausjärvi, Finland
Height 188 cm (6 ft 2 in)
Weight 82 kg (181 lb; 12 st 13 lb)
Position Centre
Shoots Left
Slovak team
Former teams
HK Dukla Michalovce
Tappara
HPK
NHL draft 59th overall, 2022
Calgary Flames
Playing career 2021–present

In 2024, following a conviction for rape committed as a minor, the Flames renounced their signing rights to Rönni, and his contract with Tappara was terminated.[1][2]

Playing career

edit

The Calgary Flames drafted Rönni in the second round, 59th overall in the 2022 NHL entry draft. He missed most of the 2022–23 season due to a knee injury and illness.[3] He appeared in 22 regular season matches for Tappara in the SM-liiga, totaling five points. Tappara won the Finnish championship, but Rönni didn't play a match in the playoffs.[4] In the Champions Hockey League (CHL), Rönni played five matches and scored one assist, and Tappara won the CHL championship.[5] Rönni signed a two-year contract extension with the club in May 2023.[6]

In October 2023, Rönni took a leave of absence from the team following criminal charges related to a rape allegation.[7] Following his conviction in March 2024, his signing rights were renounced by the Flames and his SM-liiga contract was terminated by Tappara.[8][1]

In June 2024, HK Dukla Michalovce of the Slovak Extraliga announced that they had signed Rönni to a one-year contract.[9]

Personal life

edit

In his youth, Rönni was also involved in athletics with Tampereen Pyrintö, where he won silver in the Finnish discus throw championship competition as a 14-year old.[10]

Rönni was charged with rape in the Helsinki District Court in October 2023 for an incident that occurred in 2021, when he was a minor.[7][1][11] In March 2024, he received a one-year suspended sentence for rape committed as a young person.[12]

Career statistics

edit

Regular season and playoffs

edit
Regular season Playoffs
Season Team League GP G A Pts PIM GP G A Pts PIM
2020–21 Tappara U20 SM-sarja 39 9 17 26 24 2 0 0 0 2
2021–22 Tappara U20 SM-sarja 30 11 18 29 53 2 0 2 2 0
2021–22 Tappara Liiga 19 2 2 4 2 2 0 0 0 0
2021–22 HPK Liiga 1 0 0 0 0
2021–22 KeuPa HT Mestis 1 1 1 2 2
2022–23 Tappara U20 SM-sarja 7 2 8 10 4 12 5 10 15 6
2022–23 Tappara Liiga 22 2 3 5 2
2023–24 Tappara U20 SM-sarja 20 10 22 32 42
2023–24 Tappara Liiga 22 1 1 2 6
Liiga totals 64 5 6 11 10 14 5 10 15 6

International

edit
Year Team Event Result GP G A Pts PIM
2021 Finland HG18 4th 5 2 4 6 8
2022 Finland U18   6 2 2 4 0
2023 Finland WJC 5th 5 0 0 0 4
Junior totals 16 4 6 10 12

References

edit
  1. ^ a b c "Flames drop Topi Ronni after 1-year prison sentence for rape". espn.com. ESPN. March 12, 2024. Retrieved March 13, 2024.
  2. ^ "Tappara-pelaaja Topi Rönnille tuomio raiskauksesta". Yle Uutiset (in Finnish). March 12, 2024. Retrieved March 13, 2024.
  3. ^ "Isän ja pojan yhteishaastattelu: Tappara-lupaus Topi Rönnin urheilijapolku on sisältänyt useita eri lajeja". Jatkoaika.com - Kaikki jääkiekosta (in Finnish). February 23, 2023. Retrieved October 25, 2023.
  4. ^ "Tappara on Suomen mestari!". www.iltalehti.fi (in Finnish). Retrieved October 25, 2023.
  5. ^ "CHL | Tappara". www.tappara.fi. Retrieved October 25, 2023.
  6. ^ "Jatkosopimuksia ja uusia tulokkaita - katso kaikki julkaistut sopimukset | Tappara". www.tappara.fi. Retrieved October 25, 2023.
  7. ^ a b "Jääkiekon SM-liigapelaaja Topi Rönniä syytetään raiskauksesta". Yle Urheilu (in Finnish). October 19, 2023. Retrieved October 29, 2023.
  8. ^ "Calgary Flames renounce rights to Topi Ronni". TSN. March 12, 2024. Retrieved March 12, 2024.
  9. ^ "Former Tappara player, Flames pick Topi Rönni signs with Slovak club Michalovce". thehockeynews.com. The Hockey News. June 11, 2024. Retrieved June 13, 2024.
  10. ^ "Säären rasitusmurtumasta kärsinyt Topi Rönni viikonloppuna nuorten SM-kisoissa". shl.fi (in Finnish). August 7, 2018. Retrieved October 25, 2023.
  11. ^ "Jääkiekko | Tappara: SM-liigapelaaja Topi Rönniä syytetään raiskauksesta". Helsingin Sanomat (in Finnish). October 19, 2023. Retrieved October 29, 2023.
  12. ^ "SM-liigakiekkoilija Topi Rönni tuomittiin raiskauksesta". Iltalehti (in Finnish). March 12, 2024. Retrieved March 12, 2024.
edit