Sami Lepistö

Sami Lepistö (born October 17, 1984 in Espoo, Finland) is a Finnish professional ice hockey defenceman currently playing for the Phoenix Coyotes of the National Hockey League. He is the son of former Jokerit captain and youth international defenceman Jussi Lepistö.

Playing career
Sami was drafted by the Washington Capitals as their third-round pick, #66 overall, in the 2004 NHL Entry Draft. Lepistö played his entire Finnish professional career with Jokerit in the SM-liiga, winning a silver medal in 2005. He was the highest-scoring defenceman in the playoffs that year. Although the next season was a huge disappointment for Jokerit, with the team finishing outside the playoffs, Lepistö was the fifth-highest scoring defenceman in the league.

On May 31, 2007, he was signed to a two-year entry-level contract by the Capitals. He played his first NHL game on February 16, 2008.

On June 27, 2009, Lepistö was traded by the Capitals to the Phoenix Coyotes for a fifth-round pick in the 2010 draft.

Awards

 * 2004 World Junior Ice Hockey Championships best defenceman and tournament all-star.

International play
Played for Finland in:


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