Erik Haula (born 23 March 1991) is a Finnish professional ice hockey forward for the New Jersey Devils of the National Hockey League (NHL). He has previously played for the Minnesota Wild, Vegas Golden Knights, Carolina Hurricanes, Florida Panthers, Nashville Predators and Boston Bruins. Haula was selected by the Wild in the seventh round, 182nd overall, of the 2009 NHL Entry Draft.

Erik Haula
Haula with the Vegas Golden Knights in 2018
Born (1991-03-23) 23 March 1991 (age 33)
Pori, Finland
Height 6 ft 0 in (183 cm)
Weight 193 lb (88 kg; 13 st 11 lb)
Position Forward
Shoots Left
NHL team
Former teams
New Jersey Devils
Minnesota Wild
Vegas Golden Knights
Carolina Hurricanes
Florida Panthers
Nashville Predators
Boston Bruins
National team  Finland
NHL draft 182nd overall, 2009
Minnesota Wild
Playing career 2013–present

Playing career

edit

Amateur

edit

Haula played the 2008–09 hockey season with Shattuck-Saint Mary's in Faribault, Minnesota. There he tallied 24 goals and 55 assists for 79 points in 49 games played. In March 2009, Haula committed to the University of Minnesota. He would be only the second player born outside of North America to play for the Gophers, following future Wild teammate Thomas Vanek of Austria.[1] Three months later, on 27 June 2009, Haula was drafted by the Minnesota Wild in the seventh round, 182nd overall, at the 2009 NHL Entry Draft.

Before attending the University of Minnesota, however, Haula first played at the junior level in the United States Hockey League (USHL) with the Omaha Lancers for the 2009–10 season while he attended Daniel J. Gross Catholic High School. His 28 goals and 44 assists with a plus-minus rating of +36 helped lead the Lancers to the Western Division finals. In his sole USHL season, he was named to the All-Star and All-Rookie teams.[1]

After leaving the USHL, Haula totaled 42 goals, 82 assists and 124 points in 114 games during three seasons of college ice hockey with the Gophers. He then decided to forgo his senior year and final season of eligibility to sign professionally with the Wild.

Professional

edit

Minnesota Wild

edit
 
Haula with the Iowa Wild in 2013

On 7 April 2013, the Minnesota Wild signed Haula to an entry-level contract.[2] During the 2013–14 season on 29 November 2013, the Wild recalled Haula from the Iowa Wild of the American Hockey League (AHL) to make his NHL debut, where he scored first NHL point, an assist, and he was named the game's third star in a 3–1 loss to the Colorado Avalanche.[3][4] On 9 December, Haula was reassigned to Iowa.[5] In his return to Minnesota, on 18 January 2014, Haula scored his first career NHL goal against the Dallas Stars in the first period. During 2014 Stanley Cup playoffs, he scored four goals and three assists in 13 playoff games.

Following the 2014–15 NHL season Haula became a restricted free agent under the NHL Collective Bargaining Agreement. The Minnesota Wild made him a qualifying offer to retain his NHL rights and, on 27 July 2015, Haula filed for Salary Arbitration.[6]

The 2015–16 season saw a breakout year for Haula, as he set NHL personal bests in goals, assists, and points, more than doubling his previous highs in all three categories. He centered Minnesota's third line with Nino Niederreiter and Jason Pominville, quickly becoming Minnesota's most effective line offensively as well as acting as a shutdown line against the league's best.

Vegas Golden Knights

edit

At the completion of his fourth season with the Wild in 2016–17, as a restricted free agent Haula was left exposed for the 2017 NHL Expansion Draft. After agreeing to a three-year, $8.25 million deal with the Vegas Golden Knights, Haula was Minnesota's required selection for the draft on 21 June 2017. In exchange for selecting Haula, the Knights received prospect Alex Tuch and sent a conditional third-round pick in 2018 to the Wild.[7] When speaking of his new team, Haula said: "Nothing has happened [in Vegas] before. Everything is new. It's a great opportunity for everybody, so you just start building from there...I'm really excited for this opportunity in my career."[8] However, on 14 October, Haula suffered a lower-body injury and was expected to miss at least one week.[9] After missing four games, he returned to the Golden Knights lineup on 27 October for a contest against the Colorado Avalanche.[10] Upon returning to the Golden Knights, Haula was moved around the lineup and centered a line between David Perron and James Neal, resulting in an increased output.[11] During the month of December, Haula and teammate William Karlsson each recorded seven goals, which tied for the eighth-most in the league.[12] On 1 February, Haula scored a goal to help the Golden Knights set a record for most wins by an NHL team in its inaugural season.[13] He ended the regular season with a career-high 29 goals for 55 points through 76 games.[14]

Following his career-high regular season, Haula and the Golden Knights faced off against the Los Angeles Kings in the first round of the 2018 Stanley Cup playoffs.[15] During Game 1, Haula ended the longest game in the franchise's history by scoring the second overtime game winning goal to give the Golden Knights a 2–1 win over the Kings.[16] The Golden Knights eventually swept the Kings in four games to qualify for the second round.[17] During Game 1 against the San Jose Sharks, Haula, Cody Eakin, and Jonathan Marchessault all scored goals within 1:31 of each other in the first period.[18] The Golden Knights eventually beat the Sharks in six games to advance to the Western Conference Final,[19] where they beat the Winnipeg Jets in five games.[20]

Haula returned to the Golden Knights for the 2018–19 season without his previous linemates, Perron and Neal.[21] As a result, Haula was moved to the wing position on the teams' second line with Max Pacioretty and center Paul Stastny.[22] While playing on this line, he sustained a right leg injury when he was hit by Toronto Maple Leafs forward Patrick Marleau and was expected to miss three games.[23] At the time of the injury, Haula had recorded two goals and five assists in 15 games.[24] However, it was later revealed he would need a few months to recover and was placed on injured reserve.[25] In December 2018, Haula underwent surgery on his right knee.[24]

Carolina Hurricanes

edit

On 26 June 2019, Haula was traded by the Golden Knights to the Carolina Hurricanes in exchange for prospect Nicolas Roy and a conditional fifth-round draft pick.[26] Haula then started the 2019–20 season with eight points through nine games and was praised by teammate Jordan Martinook as being a "perfect fit".[27] By November, Haula had tallied 11 points in 16 games to place fourth on the Hurricanes in goals before missing four games with a lower body injury.[28] Upon returning to the lineup, he centered Brock McGinn and Brian Gibbons on the team's fourth line.[29] He returned for two games before being named out indefinitely on 18 November due to a knee injury.[28] Haula subsequently missed 15 games before returning on 21 December for a 4–2 loss to the Florida Panthers.[30]

Florida Panthers

edit

As an impending free agent, Haula was dealt at the NHL trade deadline by the Hurricanes along with Lucas Wallmark, Eetu Luostarinen and Chase Priskie to the Florida Panthers in exchange for Vincent Trocheck on 24 February 2020.[31]

Nashville Predators

edit

On 23 December 2020, approaching the delayed 2020–21 season, Haula signed as a free agent in agreeing a one-year, $1.75 million contract with the Nashville Predators.[32] He recorded 9 goals and 21 points in 51 games of the shortened season.

Boston Bruins

edit

As a free agent at the conclusion of his contract with the Predators, Haula was signed to a two-year, $4.75 million contract with the Boston Bruins on 28 July 2021.[33] During training and camp and the pre-season, Haula centered a line with Jake DeBrusk and Nick Foligno.[34][35] On 13 November 2021, Haula scored his first Bruins goal, as part of a road game 5–2 Bruins win against the New Jersey Devils.[36] Despite a slow start, Haula would finish the season with 18 goals and 44 points in 78 games, his best totals since 2017-18.

New Jersey Devils

edit

On 13 July 2022, Haula was traded to the New Jersey Devils in exchange for Pavel Zacha.[37]

On 23 June 2023, he signed a three-year, $9.45 million extension with the Devils.[38]

Career statistics

edit

Regular season and playoffs

edit
Regular season Playoffs
Season Team League GP G A Pts PIM GP G A Pts PIM
2006–07 Ässät FIN U18 29 19 24 43 24 6 1 3 4 4
2007–08 Ässät FIN U18 3 1 1 2 0 2 4 2 6 14
2007–08 Ässät FIN U20 40 7 15 22 26 12 2 0 2 4
2008–09 Shattuck-Saint Mary's Midget AAA 49 24 55 79 42
2009–10 Omaha Lancers USHL 56 28 44 72 59 8 2 9 11 2
2010–11 University of Minnesota WCHA 34 6 18 24 22
2011–12 University of Minnesota WCHA 43 20 29 49 30
2012–13 University of Minnesota WCHA 37 16 35 51 14
2012–13 Houston Aeros AHL 6 0 2 2 2 5 1 1 2 4
2013–14 Iowa Wild AHL 31 14 13 27 14
2013–14 Minnesota Wild NHL 46 6 9 15 29 13 4 3 7 0
2014–15 Minnesota Wild NHL 72 7 7 14 32 2 1 0 1 0
2015–16 Minnesota Wild NHL 76 14 20 34 24 5 1 3 4 2
2016–17 Minnesota Wild NHL 72 15 11 26 28 4 0 1 1 0
2017–18 Vegas Golden Knights NHL 76 29 26 55 37 20 3 6 9 27
2018–19 Vegas Golden Knights NHL 15 2 5 7 10
2019–20 Carolina Hurricanes NHL 41 12 10 22 20
2019–20 Florida Panthers NHL 7 0 2 2 2 4 1 0 1 0
2020–21 Nashville Predators NHL 51 9 12 21 14 6 1 3 4 4
2021–22 Boston Bruins NHL 78 18 26 44 47 7 1 2 3 8
2022–23 New Jersey Devils NHL 80 14 27 41 47 12 4 2 6 15
2023–24 New Jersey Devils NHL 76 16 19 35 54
NHL totals 690 142 174 316 344 73 16 20 36 56

International

edit
Medal record
Representing   Finland
Men's ice hockey
World Championships
  2014 Belarus
IIHF World U18 Championships
  2009 United States
Year Team Event Result GP G A Pts PIM
2008 Finland U17 6th 5 2 8 10 18
2008 Finland U18 6th 6 1 3 4 2
2009 Finland U18   6 3 1 4 2
2011 Finland WJC 6th 6 4 3 7 10
2014 Finland WC   6 0 1 1 2
2016 Finland WCH 8th 1 0 0 0 0
Junior totals 23 10 15 25 32
Senior totals 7 0 1 1 2

Awards and honors

edit
Award Year
College
All-WCHA Second Team 2012–13 [39]

References

edit
  1. ^ a b "Erik Haula Bio". Gophersports.com. Archived from the original on 1 September 2014. Retrieved 28 August 2014.
  2. ^ "Wild Inks Haula To Entry-Level Deal". Minnesota Wild. 7 April 2013. Retrieved 7 April 2013.
  3. ^ "Erik Haula expects to make NHL debut; Mike Rupp leaves Wild for a few days". Minnesota Star Tribune. 29 November 2013. Retrieved 2 December 2013.
  4. ^ "Avs post victory over Wild". National Hockey League. 29 November 2013. Retrieved 30 November 2013.
  5. ^ "Wild re-assigns Haula to Iowa". Minnesota Wild. 9 December 2013. Retrieved 9 December 2013.
  6. ^ "Four players headed for salary arbitration". NHL.com. 27 July 2015. Archived from the original on 7 August 2023. Retrieved 28 October 2023.
  7. ^ Russo, Michael (22 June 2017). "It's official: Vegas inks Wild's Erik Haula in expansion draft". Minnesota Star Tribune. Retrieved 25 October 2021.
  8. ^ Pierce, Jessi (12 August 2017). "Haula ready for fresh start with Golden Knights". National Hockey League. Retrieved 25 October 2021.
  9. ^ "Erik Haula Placed On IR; Vadim Shipachyov Recalled From Chicago Wolves". National Hockey League. 14 October 2017. Retrieved 25 October 2021.
  10. ^ "Erik Haula Returns From Injured Reserve". National Hockey League. 27 October 2017. Retrieved 25 October 2021.
  11. ^ Lawless, Gary (9 January 2018). "Lawless and Order". National Hockey League. Retrieved 25 October 2021.
  12. ^ Lawless, Gary (2 January 2018). "Lawless And Order". National Hockey League. Retrieved 25 October 2021.
  13. ^ Billeck, Scott (2 February 2018). "Golden Knights defeat Jets for record-breaking 34th win". National Hockey League. Retrieved 25 October 2021.
  14. ^ Satriano, David (8 May 2018). "Golden Knights roster filled with players having career years". National Hockey League. Retrieved 25 October 2021.
  15. ^ Lawless, Gary (10 April 2018). "Speed, Balance And Discipline Keys To Golden Knights Round 1 Matchup". National Hockey League. Retrieved 25 October 2021.
  16. ^ "Get to know Erik Haula, Golden Knights' first playoff overtime hero". National Hockey League. 14 April 2018. Retrieved 25 October 2021.
  17. ^ Cotsonika, Nicholas J. (18 April 2018). "Golden Knights' historic season continues with sweep of Kings". National Hockey League. Retrieved 25 October 2021.
  18. ^ Webster, Danny (27 April 2018). "Golden Knights score 7, shut out Sharks in Game 1". National Hockey League. Retrieved 25 October 2021.
  19. ^ Gilmore, Eric (7 May 2018). "Golden Knights shut out Sharks in Game 6, advance to Western Final". National Hockey League. Retrieved 25 October 2021.
  20. ^ Billeck, Scott (20 May 2018). "Reaves lifts Golden Knights to Stanley Cup Final". National Hockey League. Retrieved 25 October 2021.
  21. ^ Pierce, Jessi (28 July 2018). "Golden Knights can use Cup Final loss as motivation, Haula says". National Hockey League. Retrieved 25 October 2021.
  22. ^ Lawless, Gary (19 September 2018). "Top Storylines In 2018-19 Training Camp". National Hockey League. Retrieved 25 October 2021.
  23. ^ McCarthy, Dave (7 November 2018). "Haula to miss next three games for Vegas after leaving on stretcher". National Hockey League. Retrieved 25 October 2021.
  24. ^ a b "Golden Knights' Erik Haula undergoes knee surgery, out indefinitely". ESPN. 15 December 2018. Retrieved 25 October 2021.
  25. ^ "Haula out month to month for Golden Knights". National Hockey League. 14 November 2018. Retrieved 25 October 2021.
  26. ^ "Canes Acquire Erik Haula from Vegas". National Hockey League. 27 June 2019. Retrieved 24 October 2021.
  27. ^ Lomon, Chris (24 October 2019). "HAULA IN FINE FORM WITH HURRICANES". NHLPA. Retrieved 25 October 2021.
  28. ^ a b "Haula out indefinitely for Hurricanes with knee injury". National Hockey League. 18 November 2019. Retrieved 25 October 2021.
  29. ^ Smith, Michael (14 November 2019). "Haula Returns to Canes' Lineup in Buffalo". National Hockey League. Retrieved 24 October 2021.
  30. ^ Dusterberg, Kurt (21 December 2019). "Acciari scores, but no hat trick for Panthers in win against Hurricanes". National Hockey League. Retrieved 25 October 2021.
  31. ^ "Panthers acquire Haula, Wallmark, Luostarinen, Priskie from Carolina". Florida Panthers. 24 February 2020. Retrieved 24 February 2020.
  32. ^ "Predaotrs sign Erik Haula to one-year contract". Nashville Predators. 23 December 2020. Retrieved 23 December 2020.
  33. ^ "Boston Bruins Announce Free Agent Signings and Transactions". National Hockey League. 28 July 2021. Retrieved 28 October 2021.
  34. ^ Russo, Eric (14 October 2021). "Bruins Trying to Keep Things Fresh During Layoff". National Hockey League. Retrieved 28 October 2021.
  35. ^ Russo, Eric (24 September 2021). "Haula Manning the Middle to Start Camp". National Hockey League. Retrieved 28 October 2021.
  36. ^ Morreale, Mike (13 November 2021). "Marchand, Bergeron lift Bruins past Devils". nhl.com/news. NHL. Retrieved 13 November 2021. Erik Haula gave the Bruins a 1-0 lead with his first goal of the season at 17:31 of the first period when he scored on a rebound from the bottom of the right face-off circle after Bernier stopped the initial attempt from the slot by Anton Blidh.
  37. ^ "Zacha traded to Bruins by Devils for Haula". National Hockey League. 13 July 2022. Retrieved 13 July 2022.
  38. ^ "Devils sign F Haula to three-year, $9.45M extension". TSN. 23 June 2023. Retrieved 23 June 2023.
  39. ^ "St. Cloud State's Drew LeBlanc honored as WCHA player of the year" (Press release). Western Collegiate Hockey Association. 14 March 2013. Retrieved 2 December 2013.
edit