Teppo Numminen

**Teppo Numminen** (born Teppo Kalevi Numminen on July 3, 1968 in Tampere, Finland) is a Finnish former professional ice hockey player who played in the NHL for the Winnipeg Jets, Phoenix Coyotes, Dallas Stars and the Buffalo Sabres.

Numminen was drafted 29th overall by the Winnipeg Jets in the 1986 NHL Entry Draft.

## Playing Career

Teppo started his career with his local team, Tappara in the SM-liiga. Drafted in the second round (29th overall) in the 1986 NHL Entry Draft by the Winnipeg Jets, he moved to North America in 1988 to play for the Jets.

He moved with the team as it became the Phoenix Coyotes before the 1996–97 season. He played in the NHL All-Star Game in 1999, 2000 and 2001.

After 15 seasons playing for the Winnipeg/Phoenix organization, Teppo was traded to the Dallas Stars in July of 2003 in exchange for Mike Sillinger. He took a break from hockey during the 2004–05 NHL lockout and then signed as a free agent with the Buffalo Sabres.

On November 13, 2006, he played his 1,252nd game in the NHL, thus setting a record for most NHL games played by a European-trained player, surpassing Jari Kurri.

After signing a one-year contract for the 2007–08 season, Teppo was forced to undergo open heart surgery before the start of the season. He was suspended by the Sabres when it was discovered he needed heart surgery.

Sabres' general manager Darcy Regier stated the suspension was because Teppo's $2.6 million contract was not insured and the contract contained a clause which stated that player must have passed the physical and had to be fit to play.

His heart surgery to repair a faulty valve was successful and completed at the Cleveland Clinic on September 20, 2007. He was able to return to action for the final game of the Sabres' 2007–08 season on April 5, 2008.

Per a statement by general manager Regier, Teppo expressed some interest in returning to NHL play for at least another year. On August 8, 2008, he re-signed with the Buffalo Sabres. He was the leader among active NHL players who played the most games without winning the Stanley Cup: 1,372 at the end of the 2008-09 season.

On August 4, 2009, Teppo announced his retirement on August 4, 2009; the 41-year-old finished his NHL career with 117 goals and 520 assists for 637 points in 1372 NHL games.

At the time of his retirement, he was the last player from the 1986 NHL Entry Draft still playing in the NHL and he had extended his record to 1,372 NHL games, the most by a European-born and trained player at any position (which stood until broken by Nicklas Lidstrom in the 2009–10 season).

On January 30, 2010, the Coyotes enshrined Teppo's number 27 jersey into the ring of honor.

During his 15 seasons for the franchise, including their previous incarnation as the Winnipeg Jets, he played 1,098 games (a then franchise record). His 534 points are also a franchise record for defencemen.

## International Play

Teppo represented the Finnish men's national team and won two silver medals in 1988 and 2006, and one bronze medal in 1998 Winter Olympics.

## Personal Life

Teppo and his wife Ann-Maarit have three children: daughters Bianca & Erica, and son Nicklas.

His brother, Teemu Numminen (born December 23, 1973) was drafted 229th overall in the 1992 NHL Entry Draft by the Winnipeg Jets, but he never made it to the NHL.

He used to own 80% of Montreal Sports Ltd, which was a company founded by his father, Kalevi. The company produced ice hockey sticks and equipment and was sold to the large hockey brand Warrior.