| Born: | September 2, 1974 | Draft: | 1996 Senators #239 Overall |
| Hometown: | Turku, Finland | Position: | Defence |
| Known For: | Shoots: | Right | |
| National Team: | Finland | Current Status: | Retired |
Sami Sakari Salo (born 2 September 1974) is a Finnish former professional ice hockey defenceman of the National Hockey League (NHL). He began his professional career with TPS of the SM-liiga before being selected by the Ottawa Senators with their last pick in the 1996 NHL Entry Draft.
He joined the Senators in 1998–99 and was selected to the NHL All-Rookie Team. In the 2002 off-season, he was traded to the Vancouver Canucks with whom he recorded three 30-point campaigns. Prior to the 2012–13 NHL season he signed with the Lightning as a free agent. Due to the 2004–05 NHL lockout, Salo played overseas with Frölunda HC of the Swedish Elite League and helped the club capture the Le Mat Trophy as league champions. Internationally, Salo has competed for Finland, appearing in two World Championships, three Winter Olympics and one World Cup. He won silver medals at the 2001 World Championships and the 2006 Winter Olympics, as well as a bronze medal at the 2010 Winter Olympics.
Throughout his career, Salo became infamous for being injury-prone, having suffered over 40 career injuries. Despite his injuries, he was known as a two-way defenceman with a powerful slapshot.
Sami Salo Statistics
Deeper Dive
- Forgotten Tampa Bay Lightning: Sami Salo
- 3 Senators’ Draft Picks That Didn’t Work Out in Ottawa
- Vancouver Canucks All-Time Team
Coaching History
- Finland U20 Team (Asst. Coach) 2016-17
- WJC-20 Team Finland (Asst. Coach) 2018
- Spengler Cup TPS (Asst. Coach) 2020
- Liiga TPS (Asst. Coach) 2017-present
Achievements
- Finnish Hockey Hall of Fame (Jääkiekkoleijona) (#245) (2017)
- 2x Olympic Bronze Medalist (2010, 2014)
- Olympic Silver Medal (2006)
- World Cup Runner Up (2005)
- Elitserien Champion (2005)
- World Championship Silver Medal (2001)
- NHL All-Rookie Team (1999)
- SM-liiga Bronze Medal (1998)
- SM-liiga Silver Medal (1996, 1997)
- European Hockey League (EHL) Champion (1997)
- SM-liiga Champion (1995)
- U20 SM-liiga Silver Medal (1994)