Matti Hagman

Matti Risto Tapio "Hakki" Hagman (21 September 1955 – 11 October 2016) was a Finnish ice hockey professional. Hagman was the first Finnish-born and Finnish-trained player to play an NHL game and the first to play in a Stanley Cup final. The first Finnish-born player in NHL was Pentti Lund, who never played hockey in Finland, having moved to Canada at the age of six.

Boston Bruins (1976–1977)
Hagman played 237 NHL games over seven seasons. He debuted for the Boston Bruins on 7 October 1976 as they hosted the Minnesota North Stars. During his time in Boston, Hagman was coached by famous Canadian Head Coach Don Cherry. During his time with the Bruins, Hagman did not get much time on ice but he did score well. During his first NHL season, Matti Hagman scored 28 points in 75 games though being played on 3rd and 4th lines who do not have much offensive time on ice.

Quebec Nordiques (1977–1978)
Hagman joined the WHA Quebec Nordiques in 1977 after they purchased him from Boston. Despite scoring 3 assists in his first Nordiqes game, Hagman returned to Finland in 1978 unhappy with playing abroad. He joined Helsinki IFK and went on to lead the Finnish league in points in 1979–80, 1982–83, 1983–84 and 1984–85. Hagman played 3 Canada Cups, as Finland finished sixth in each tournament (1976, 1981, and 1987). He also played on the fourth-place Finnish team in the 1976 Winter Olympics.

Edmonton Oilers (1980–1982)
Hagman was more prominent a player on the Edmonton Oilers as they made the transition from WHA to NHL play. Though being originally a Center, Hagman played left wing on the line with all stars Mark Messier and Glenn Anderson during the 1980–81 campaign. Hagman moved from center to left wing because the Oilers had two top centers; Mark Messier and Wayne Gretzky. An injury in training camp the next year limited Hagman to just a few games and spelt the end to his NHL career.

After retirement
Hagman was named Martigny (Switzerland) head coach in 2004. Hagman also has coached numerous Finnish Ice Hockey teams.

Personal life
He was the father of NHLer Niklas Hagman of the Anaheim Ducks. Matti was also the brother-in-law of former indoor soccer star Kai Haaskivi.

Hagman's sister Riitta Salin won the European Championship (athletics) in 400 m in Rome in 1974.

Hagman died after a long illness in Espoo, Finland, on 11 October 2016. He died in hospital after seeking treatment a few days earlier.