Jaakko Harikkala

Jakko Harikkala (b. March 30th 1981 in Kalanti, Finland) is a retired professional defenceman.

Harikkala began his professional career in 1998 with Lukko Rauma of the SM-Liiga. The same season, he helped the U18 Finnish National Team clinch the gold medal at the 1999 U18 World Championship with three goals in seven games. His good performance helped him getting drafted to the National Hockey League 118th overall in the 1999 NHL Entry Draft by the Boston Bruins. He kept playing for Lukko until 2005, where he opted to move to Norway and join the Storhamar Dragons. In 2006-07, Harikkala came for the first time playing in North America, joining the ECHL's Las Vegas Wranglers. The adventure was short lived however, lasting only six games (in which he picked up a single assist and 19 penalty minutes) before joining HPK Hämeenlinna of the SM-Liiga. The next season, he signed in Italy with HC Valpellice of the Serie A2. He then joined Tingsryds AIF of the Swedish Division 1 for the 2008-09 season. He returned the next, but only dressed for a game before returning to Finland, playing two games with Jäa-Kotka. Rumours about his retirement began to surface in November 2009.