Anssi Salmela

Anssi Salmela (born 13 August 1984) is a Finnish former professional ice hockey defenceman. He played parts of 5 seasons in the National Hockey League (NHL). He played for the New Jersey Devils and Atlanta Thrashers. Outside of the NHL, Salmela played for the Tappara, the Lahti Pelicans and Ilves of the SM-liiga. He has also played for Avangard Omsk, Kunlun Red Star, and Dinamo Riga of the Kontinental Hockey League (KHL), as well as, Modo Hockey, HV71, Färjestad BK, Brynäs IF, and Linköping HC of the Swedish Hockey League (SHL), and EHC Biel of the National League.

Career
Before playing in the NHL, Salmela played parts of four seasons with Tappara and two seasons with the Lahti Pelicans of the SM-liiga. He had a successful time with Tappara. He was awarded the Juha Rantasila Trophy for most goals for defenseman with 16 and was also awarded a bronze medal with the team.

He was not drafted by an NHL team. On 22 May 2008, Salmela signed a one-year, two-way contract to join the New Jersey Devils. On October 10, 2008, Salmela made his NHL debut in a 2–1 win against the New York Islanders. On November 12, he recorded his first NHL point, assisting on a Zach Parise goal in a 5–2 loss against the New York Rangers.

On 2 March 2009, the Thrashers traded Salmela to the Atlanta Thrashers in exchange for Niclas Hävelid and Myles Stoesz. On March 16, Salmela scored his first NHL goal against José Théodore in a 5–1 win against the Washington Capitals. He played parts of two seasons with e Thrashers. 

On February 4, 2010, the Thrashers traded Salmela along with Ilya Kovalchuk and a 2010 second-round draft pick back to the New Jersey Devils in exchange for Johnny Oduya, Niclas Bergfors, Patrice Cormier, a 2010 first- and second-round draft pick. He played parts of two seasons with the Devils.

On 15 July 2011, Salmela left North America and signed a two-year, $1.5 million contract to join Avangard Omsk of the Kontinental Hockey League (KHL).

He played for many other teams in Europe before retiring from playing professional ice hockey in 2021.

References

 Other websites 

Category:1984 births
Category:Living people
Category:Albany Devils players
Category:Atlanta Thrashers players
Category:Chicago Wolves players
Category:Finnish ice hockey defencemen
Category:Lowell Devils players
Category:New Jersey Devils players