Anssi Salmela

Anssi Salmela (born August 13, 1984 in Nokia, Finland) is a Finnish professional ice hockey defenceman currently playing for the Atlanta Thrashers of the National Hockey League.

Playing career
Undrafted, Salmela's professional career started in the 2003–2004 season with Finnish SM-liiga side Tappara, where he made his debut on January 24, 2004. His place was settled in Tappara for another year, but the next year he was transferred to Pelicans. In 2007 he moved back to Tappara again.

Salmela was a member of the Finnish team that won a bronze medal in the World U20 Championship. He made his debut for the senior national team in the 2008 World Championship held in Canada in 2008. On May 22, 2008, he signed a one-year, two-way contract with the New Jersey Devils of the NHL.

In the 2008–09 season, Salmela made his NHL and North American debut with New Jersey in the season opener on October 10, 2008, in a 2-1 win over the New York Islanders. However, Salmela spent the majority of his time with the Devils affiliate the Lowell Devils of the American Hockey League (AHL). On March 2, 2009, Salmela was traded by the Devils to the Atlanta Thrashers for Niclas Hävelid. In his second game with the Thrashers Salmela scored his first career NHL goal in a 5-1 win against the Washington Capitals on March 16, 2009.

Awards and achievements

 * 2007–08 SM-Liiga Bronze Medal
 * 2007–08 Juha Rantasila -palkinto (most goals for defender in SM-Liiga)

International play
Played for Finland in:


 * 2004 World Junior Championships (Bronze medal)
 * 2008 World Championships (Bronze medal)