Julius Honka

Julius Honka (born 3 December 1995) is a Finnish ice hockey defenceman who currently plays with JYP Jyväskylä of the Finnish Liiga. He formally requested a trade from the Dallas Stars, who currently retain his NHL rights, in September 2019. Honka was selected by the Dallas Stars in the first round (14th overall) of the 2014 NHL Entry Draft.

Playing career
Honka was a top rated prospect who was ranked #11 on the NHL Central Scouting Bureau final list of 2014 NHL Draft eligible North American skaters. During the 2012–13 season Honka played with the Finland men's national under-18 ice hockey team at both the 2013 IIHF World U18 Championships and the 2013 Ivan Hlinka Memorial Tournament. Moving to North America for the 2013–14 WHL season, he competed with Team Finland to win gold at the 2014 World Junior Ice Hockey Championships and was also selected to compete in the 2014 CHL/NHL Top Prospects Game. On 14 July 2014, Honka was signed to a three-year entry level contract with the Dallas Stars. During the 2016–17 season, Honka scored his first career goal on 4 April 2017, a game winning overtime goal in a game against the Arizona Coyotes. In the following 2017–18 season, Honka was sent down to the Stars AHL affiliate, the Texas Stars, on 31 October 2017. He was later recalled and remained with Dallas to appear in a career high 42 games.

Personal life
Honka comes from a family of hockey players; his three brothers also play the same sport. His younger brother Anttoni was drafted in the third round (83rd overall) by the Carolina Hurricanes in the 2019 NHL Entry Draft and currently plays for JYP Jyväskylä of Finland's Liiga.