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Joel Armia

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Joel Armia
Joel Armia - Canadiens Capitals Hockey (51707629995).jpg
Armia with the Montreal Canadiens in 2021
Born (1993-05-31) 31 May 1993 (age 31)
Pori, Finland
Height 6 ft 3 in (191 cm)
Weight 212 lb (96 kg; 15 st 2 lb)
Position Right wing
Shoots Right
NHL team
Former teams		 Montreal Canadiens
Porin Ässät
Buffalo Sabres
Winnipeg Jets
National team  Finland
NHL draft 16th overall, 2011
Buffalo Sabres
Playing career 2010–present

Joel Armia (Finnish pronunciation: [ˈjo̞e̞l ˈɑrmiɑ]; born 31 May 1993) is a Finnish professional ice hockey winger for the Montreal Canadiens of the National Hockey League (NHL). He was selected in the first round, 16th overall, by the Buffalo Sabres in the 2011 NHL Entry Draft. Armia has also previously played professionally for Porin Ässät of the SM-liiga[1] as well as the Winnipeg Jets.

Playing career

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Porin Ässät

[edit]
Armia playing for Porin Ässät in 2010, as a 17-year-old.

In the 2008–09 season, Armia was the highest goal scoring player of the U16 SM-sarja with 27 goals, winning the Keijo Kuusela award. In the following season, he played in 27 games with Ässät U20, recording 15 goals and six assists for a total of 21 points.

At the age of 17, Armia was promoted to Porin Ässät's roster in SM-liiga for the 2010–11 season after showing great talent across both the Ässät junior ranks as well as the Finnish national ice hockey team.[2] In his rookie campaign, Armia would record 18 goals and 11 assists, being the highest goal-scorer amongst rookies leaguewide. He would likewise appear in five playoff games scoring two goals.

While in Ässät, Armia was considered one of the most talented players of his age group and a future superstar by media[2][3] due much in part to his natural goal scoring prowess.[4] Eric Weissman, a former scout for the Buffalo Sabres, highlighted Armia's puck possession abilities. In the same article by The Athletic, he was referred to as a pure skill player.[5] Armia was ultimately selected by the Sabres in the first round (16th overall) during the 2011 NHL Entry Draft as well as 14th overall by the Severstal Cherepovets of the Kontinental Hockey League (KHL) in the 2011 KHL Junior Draft.[6][7] In the following season, Armia played in 54 regular season games and recorded 18 goals and 20 assists for 38 points with Ässät, along with two assists in three playoff games. In June 2012, Armia signed with the Sabres,[8] but would return to Ässät on a loan for one more season. He played in 47 regular season games recording 19 goals and 14 assists for a total of 33 points, and was instrumental in helping Ässät capture SM-liiga's Kanada-malja championship, recording three goals with five assists across 16 playoff games.[9][10]

Buffalo Sabres and trade to the Winnipeg Jets (2013–2018)

[edit]
Armia with the Winnipeg Jets in 2016

On 16 June 2012, Armia was signed to a three-year entry-level contract with the Sabres.[8] He would record seven goals and 20 assists for the Sabres' American Hockey League (AHL) affiliate, the Rochester Americans, during the 2013–14 AHL season, and also participated in the 2013 Spengler Cup with the team, scoring one goal.[11] During his second North American professional season in 2014–15, Armia was recalled from Rochester, and made his NHL debut with the Sabres against the Detroit Red Wings on 23 December 2014.[12] He was then returned to the Americans before being traded to the Winnipeg Jets in a blockbuster deal involving Evander Kane and Zach Bogosian on 11 February 2015.[13][14]

After being acquired by Winnipeg, Armia was initially assigned to the Jets' AHL affiliate, the St. John's IceCaps, where he would finish the 2014–15 season. He began the following season with Winnipeg's newly relocated AHL affiliate, the Manitoba Moose, being primarily used as a penalty killer.[15] Armia would be recalled by the Jets later that NHL season and scored his first NHL goal against Martin Jones in a 4–1 win over the San Jose Sharks on 3 January 2016.[16] The 2016–17 season, Armia's first full year in the NHL, was plagued by early struggle as well as injury, where he was forced to miss a total of 24 games. Despite this, he showed improvement upon return while playing on a line with Adam Lowry and Shawn Matthias (who was replaced by Andrew Copp after Matthias suffered an injury).[15] The 2017–18 season built upon this personal success, with Armia finishing with 12 goals and 29 points in 79 games.[17]

Montreal Canadiens (2018–present)

[edit]

On 30 June 2018, the Jets traded Armia along with goaltender Steve Mason and two draft picks to the Montreal Canadiens in exchange for defenceman Simon Bourque.[18][19] On 13 July 2018, he signed a one-year contract worth $1.85 million with the Canadiens.[20][21] On 6 October, Armia scored his first goal for Montreal, a shorthanded marker that gave the Canadiens a 4–0 lead over the Pittsburgh Penguins en route to a 5–1 victory.[22] On 1 November, Armia and teammate Max Domi scored the fastest two goals by one team when Montreal defeated the Washington Capitals, 6–4.[23] The former scored at 19:38 of the third period, whereas Armia clinched the win with an empty net goal two seconds later.[24] A few days later, Armia converted the decisive goal in the fifth round of a shootout victory against the New York Islanders on 5 November being the only player from either team to beat the goaltender.[25] However, in the Canadiens' next game against the New York Rangers on 6 November, Armia suffered a knee injury and ultimately missed 25 games.[26] In December 2018, it was reported that HC CSKA Moscow bought Armia's KHL rights from Severstal Cherepovets, despite Armia being an active player overseas in the NHL.[27][28] On 3 January 2019, Armia returned from injury against the Vancouver Canucks; he was credited with an assist on Jordie Benn's opening goal in a 2–0 Montreal win.[29] On 1 March, he registered his first career NHL hat-trick in a 4–2 victory against the New York Rangers.[30]

On 11 July 2019, Armia signed a two-year contract worth $5.2 million with the Canadiens having previously filed for salary arbitration as a restricted free agent.[31][32] He scored his first two goals of the 2019–20 season in a 5–4 overtime loss to the Buffalo Sabres on 9 October.[33]

After recording seven goals and seven assists during the 2020–21 season, Armia managed five goals and three assists during the Canadiens' deep run to the 2021 Stanley Cup Finals during the 2021 Stanley Cup playoffs. On 27 July 2021, he signed a four-year, $13.6 million contract extension with the Canadiens.[34]

Prior to the beginning of the 2023–24 season, the Canadiens placed Armia on waivers for the purpose of re-assignment to AHL affiliate, the Laval Rocket.[35][36][37] After clearing waivers, Armia scored two goals in his first AHL appearance with the Rocket on 13 October 2023.[38] Collectively, he played four games with Laval registering four goals and five total points before being recalled by the Canadiens on 21 October.[39] Armia was subsequently sent back to Laval on 12 November.[40] After Arber Xhekaj was placed on injured reserve, the Canadiens recalled Armia yet again on 24 November.[41] Armia would finish the regular season with 17 goals, surpassing his personal best to date.[42][43] For his efforts, Armia was chosen as the Canadiens' candidate for the Bill Masterton Memorial trophy.[44][45]

International play

[edit]

Armia at the 2012 World Junior Championships.
Medal record
Representing  Finland
Men's ice hockey
World Championships
Gold medal – first place 2022 Finland

Joel Armia played for Finland in the 2010 World U-17 Hockey Challenge scoring eight points in six games. Finland Finished last place in the tournament. He represented Finland at the IIHF U18 World Championship in 2011, scoring 13 points in eight games. As part of the Finland national junior team, Armia participated in the 2011, 2012 and 2013 World Junior Championships, recording 11 goals and nine assists across 19 games. The team's highest finish was fourth in 2012.

Following the 2021–22 NHL season, the Canadiens having failed the make the playoffs, Armia accepted an invitation to play for Finland national team at the senior level internationally for the first time at the 2022 IIHF World Championship, which was held in Finland. In his debut against Norway national team, he recorded a goal and an assist in Finland's 5–0 victory.[46] In his first nine games, Armia recorded four goals and three assists, including the game-winning goal in Finland's semifinal victory over United States national team to reach the championship final.[47] He scored his fifth goal of the tournament in Finland's 4–3 victory over Canada national team in the final, winning a gold medal.[48]

After the 2022 competition, Armia said that he would like to participate the following year. Armia accepted the invite for the 2023 IIHF World Championship.[49] He would score his first goal in the tournament against Germany national team in a 4–3 victory for Finland.[50] Armia's second goal and only assist came against Hungary national team in a 7–1 victory.[51] Finland lost to Canada national team in the quarterfinals.[52] Armia played eight games and recorded two goals and an assist for a total of three points.

Career statistics

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Regular season and playoffs

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Regular season Playoffs
Season Team League GP G A Pts PIM GP G A Pts PIM
2009–10 Porin Ässät FIN U18 6 5 7 12 6 6 6 3 9 8
2009–10 Porin Ässät Jr. A 27 15 6 21 32 5 1 1 2 0
2010–11 Porin Ässät SM-l 48 18 11 29 24 5 2 0 2 4
2011–12 Porin Ässät SM-l 54 18 20 38 66 3 0 2 2 2
2012–13 Porin Ässät SM-l 47 19 14 33 32 16 3 5 8 20
2013–14 Rochester Americans AHL 54 7 20 27 30 5 3 3 6 9
2014–15 Rochester Americans AHL 33 10 15 25 39 — — — — —
2014–15 Buffalo Sabres NHL 1 0 0 0 0 — — — — —
2014–15 St. John's IceCaps AHL 21 2 6 8 22 — — — — —
2015–16 Manitoba Moose AHL 18 3 5 8 16 — — — — —
2015–16 Winnipeg Jets NHL 43 4 6 10 12 — — — — —
2016–17 Winnipeg Jets NHL 57 10 9 19 20 — — — — —
2017–18 Winnipeg Jets NHL 79 12 17 29 22 13 2 0 2 2
2018–19 Montreal Canadiens NHL 57 13 10 23 14 — — — — —
2019–20 Montreal Canadiens NHL 58 16 14 30 28 10 3 2 5 10
2020–21 Montreal Canadiens NHL 41 7 7 14 10 21 5 3 8 10
2021–22 Montreal Canadiens NHL 60 6 8 14 14 — — — — —
2022–23 Montreal Canadiens NHL 43 7 7 14 22 — — — — —
2023–24 Laval Rocket AHL 8 6 3 9 4 — — — — —
2023–24 Montreal Canadiens NHL 66 17 8 25 34 — — — — —
Liiga totals 149 55 45 100 120 24 5 7 12 24
NHL totals 505 92 86 178 176 44 10 5 15 22

International

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Year Team Event Result GP G A Pts PIM
2010 Finland U17 10th 5 5 3 8 2
2011 Finland U18 5th 6 4 9 13 8
2011 Finland WJC 6th 6 0 1 1 2
2012 Finland WJC 4th 7 5 2 7 16
2013 Finland WJC 7th 6 6 6 12 12
2022 Finland WC 1st place, gold medalist(s) 10 5 3 8 8
2023 Finland WC 7th 8 2 1 3 4
Junior totals 30 20 21 41 40
Senior totals 18 7 4 11 12

Personal life

[edit]

Armia was born in Pori and attended a Swedish-speaking school, the Björneborgs svenska samskola, known for having many talented ice hockey players as students.[53][54] He likewise played association football as a junior for his local club Musan Salama.[55]

In May 2022, Armia and his wife Emilia Harjunen welcomed their first child, a daughter named Emma.[56][3][57]

Awards and honours

[edit]
Award Year Ref
SM-liiga
Kanada-malja champion 2013 [58]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ "Joel Armia's player profile with his team Porin Ässät". Porin Ässät (in Finnish). Archived from the original on 7 July 2011.
  2. ^ a b "17-vuotias Armia Ässien liigajoukkueeseen". Yle (in Finnish). 15 September 2010. Retrieved 8 October 2023.
  3. ^ a b Liuhala, Juhani; Laiho, Harri (14 May 2022). "Venäläispelaajan 240 km/h kaahaaminen ei unohdu Leijonien NHL-vahvistukselta – mutta millainen mies on Joel Armia?". Ilta-Sanomat (in Finnish). Retrieved 19 April 2024.
  4. ^ "Joel Armia Tilastot ja uutiset". NHL.com (in Finnish). Retrieved 19 April 2024.
  5. ^ Godin, Marc Antoine (16 December 2019). "Joel Armia's road to becoming a complete player brought him back to being a first-round talent". The Athletic. Retrieved 19 April 2024.
  6. ^ "Severstal varasi Armian, Ufa Granlundin". Yle (in Finnish). 28 May 2011. Retrieved 19 April 2024.
  7. ^ Uotila, Jani (25 June 2011). "Joel Armia varaustilaisuuden suomalaisnimi". MTV Uutiset (in Finnish). Retrieved 19 April 2024.
  8. ^ a b "Armia agrees to terms on entry level contract". Buffalo Sabres. 16 June 2012. Archived from the original on 20 June 2012. Retrieved 18 October 2023 – via NHL.com.
  9. ^ "Joel Armia". HockeysFuture.com. 4 July 2015.
  10. ^ Savinen, Vesa-Matti; Riihentupa, Timo (18 April 2023). "Mestaruus 2013 | Joel Armialla on urallaan yksi toive, johon liittyvät Pori ja Ässät – "Pääsisi tekemään vielä uudestaan sen tempun"". Satakunnan Kansa (in Finnish). Retrieved 8 October 2023.
  11. ^ "Amerks drop Spengler Cup quarterfinal". TheAHL.com. 29 December 2013. Retrieved 4 September 2023.
  12. ^ "Armia to make NHL debut against Red Wings". Buffalo Sabres. 23 December 2014. Archived from the original on 28 December 2014. Retrieved 23 December 2014 – via NHL.com.
  13. ^ "Jets Acquire Myers, Stafford, Armia, Lemieux & First Round Draft Choice From Sabres". Winnipeg Jets. 11 February 2015. Archived from the original on 11 February 2015. Retrieved 18 October 2023 – via NHL.com.
  14. ^ "Kane, Bogosian dealt to Sabres in eight-player blockbuster deal". TSN.ca. 11 February 2015. Retrieved 11 February 2015.
  15. ^ a b Wiebe, Ken (29 March 2017). "Armia embraces new role". Winnipeg Sun. Retrieved 14 November 2023.
  16. ^ Eymer, Rick (3 January 2016). "Jets defeat Sharks to snap 6-game road losing streak". CBC Sports. Retrieved 14 November 2023.
  17. ^ Dumont, Marc (1 July 2018). "Behind the numbers: What do the Canadiens have in Joel Armia?". The Athletic. Retrieved 14 November 2023.
  18. ^ Cudzinowski, Matt (18 October 2023). "Canadiens acquire Armia, Mason and two draft picks from Winnipeg". Montreal Canadiens. Retrieved 18 October 2023 – via NHL.com.
  19. ^ "Canadiens acquire Joel Armia, Steve Mason from Jets". Sportsnet.ca. 30 June 2018. Retrieved 30 June 2018.
  20. ^ Cudzinowski, Matt (13 July 2018). "Canadiens agree to terms on a one-year contract with Joel Armia". Montreal Canadiens. Retrieved 18 October 2023 – via NHL.com.
  21. ^ "Canadiens sign forward Joel Armia to one-year, $1.85-million contract". Montreal Gazette. 13 July 2018. Retrieved 15 July 2018.
  22. ^ Hickey, Pat (6 October 2018). "Gritty Canadiens shock talented Penguins 5-1". Montreal Gazette. Retrieved 6 November 2018.
  23. ^ Brehm, Mike (1 November 2018). "Montreal Canadiens set NHL record with 2 goals in 2 seconds vs. Washington Capitals". USA Today. Retrieved 6 November 2018.
  24. ^ Farrell, Sean (2 November 2018). "Canadiens stun Capitals with late flurry, set NHL record". NHL.com. Retrieved 6 November 2018.
  25. ^ Hickey, Pat (5 November 2018). "Canadiens overcome 3-1 deficit, overtime penalty kill to beat Islanders in shootout". Montreal Gazette. Retrieved 6 November 2018.
  26. ^ Labbé, Richard (8 November 2018). "Joel Armia ratera de six à huit semaines". La Presse (in Canadian French). Retrieved 9 November 2018.
  27. ^ Hepojärvi, Harri (27 December 2018). "Mitä ihmettä? – Moskovan ZSKA osti Joel Armian KHL-oikeudet". Satakunnan Kansa (in Finnish). Retrieved 19 April 2024.
  28. ^ Hepojärvi, Harri (27 December 2018). "KHL:ssä lisää isoja peliliikkeitä: ZSKA hankki Sebastian Ahon, Joel Armian ja David Pastrnakin oikeudet". Iltalehti (in Finnish). Retrieved 19 April 2024.
  29. ^ Hickey, Pat (3 January 2019). "Carey Price looks healthy and rested while blanking the Canucks 2-0". Montreal Gazette. Retrieved 9 January 2019.
  30. ^ "Armia's hat trick leads Canadiens past Rangers". TSN.ca. 1 March 2019. Retrieved 2 March 2019.
  31. ^ "Canadiens agree to terms with Joel Armia". Montreal Canadiens. 11 July 2019. Retrieved 11 July 2019 – via NHL.com.
  32. ^ Cowan, Stu (11 July 2019). "Canadiens sign Joel Armia to two-year deal worth $5.2 million". Montreal Gazette. Retrieved 11 July 2019.
  33. ^ Hickey, Pat (9 October 2019). "Never-say-die Canadiens salvage another road point in defeat". Montreal Gazette. Retrieved 13 October 2019.
  34. ^ "Four-year contract extension for Joel Armia". Montreal Canadiens. 27 July 2021. Retrieved 5 October 2021 – via NHL.com.
  35. ^ "Canadiens place veteran winger Joel Armia on waivers". Sportsnet.ca. 8 October 2023. Retrieved 10 October 2023.
  36. ^ Cowan, Stu (9 October 2023). "Canadiens' Joel Armia clears waivers and is likely headed to Laval". Montreal Gazette. Retrieved 18 October 2013.
  37. ^ Laiho, Harri (13 October 2023). "Lähes viiden miljoonan dollarin palkalla farmiin pudotettu Joel Armia antoi ensimmäiset kommenttinsa". Satakunnan Kansa (in Finnish). Retrieved 14 October 2023.
  38. ^ Laiho, Harri (14 October 2023). "Suomen NHL-konkari lähetettiin yllättäen farmiin – heti avausottelussa rävähti". Ilta-Sanomat (in Finnish). Retrieved 14 October 2023.
  39. ^ "Canadiens recall Joel Armia, loan Filip Mesar to Kitchener". Sportsnet.ca. 21 October 2023. Retrieved 6 November 2023.
  40. ^ Cowan, Stu (12 November 2023). "Canadiens call up Gustav Lindström and send Joel Armia back to Laval". Montreal Gazette. Retrieved 14 November 2023.
  41. ^ "Canadiens recall Joel Armia, place Arber Xhekaj on IR". Sportsnet.ca. 24 November 2023. Retrieved 29 November 2023.
  42. ^ LeBlanc, Luc (11 April 2024). "The Unlikely Resurgence of Canadiens' Joel Armia". TheHockeyWriters.com. Retrieved 19 April 2024.
  43. ^ Riihentupa, Timo; Peltonen, Elias (10 April 2024). "Joel Armia iski ennätyksensä uusiksi – toisen porilaisen tilanne on huomattavasti vaikeampi". Satakunnan Kansa (in Finnish). Retrieved 19 April 2024.
  44. ^ "Joel Armia selected as the team candidate for the Bill Masterton trophy". Montreal Canadiens. 5 April 2024. Retrieved 19 April 2024 – via NHL.com.
  45. ^ Klisivitch, Armand (5 April 2024). "Montreal Canadiens' Joel Armia Nominated For Bill Masterton Trophy". InsideTheRink.com. Retrieved 19 April 2024.
  46. ^ "Joel Armia starts the World Championship in style". Montreal Canadiens. 13 May 2022. Retrieved 28 May 2022 – via NHL.com.
  47. ^ "Armia, Anderson will play for gold at Worlds". Montreal Canadiens. 28 May 2022. Retrieved 28 May 2022 – via NHL.com.
  48. ^ Podnieks, Andrew (29 May 2022). "Finland does it!". IIHF.com. Retrieved 29 May 2022.
  49. ^ "Joel Armia Leijonien matkaan". Leijonat.fi (in Finnish). Retrieved 10 October 2023.
  50. ^ Kalmari, Viljami (13 May 2023). "Leijonat otti valtavan voiton! Saksa kaatui trillerissä". Iltalehti (in Finnish). Retrieved 10 October 2023.
  51. ^ Nikulin, Antti (19 May 2023). "Suomi löysi maalijyvänsä ja otti selkeän voiton Unkarista". Jatkoaika.com (in Finnish). Retrieved 10 October 2023.
  52. ^ Potts, Andy (25 May 2023). "Canada ends Finland's reign". IIHF.com. Retrieved 10 October 2023.
  53. ^ von Hertzen, Jesper (7 March 2016). "Lättaste sättet att bli NHL-proffs? Gå i Björneborgs svenska samskola!". Yle (in Swedish). Retrieved 9 October 2023.
  54. ^ Riihentupa, Timo (11 January 2019). "Ruotsinkielinen tähtitehdas: Björneborgs svenska samskolanista on lähtenyt maailman kovimpaan kiekkoliigaan peräti neljä pelaajaa". Satakunnan Kansa (in Finnish). Retrieved 9 October 2023.
  55. ^ Byyri (1 August 2021). "Musan Salamasta kirjoitetaan historiikki – pääosassa tarinat, ihmiset ja yhteisöllisyys". Byyri (in Finnish). Retrieved 15 June 2024.
  56. ^ Isokoski, Riku (1 August 2022). "Kultaleijonahäät! Joel Armia meni naimisiin Emilia-puolisonsa kanssa". Iltalehti (in Finnish). Retrieved 8 October 2023.
  57. ^ Lortie, Patrick (16 May 2022). "Montreal Canadiens: Joel Armia Deserves Another Chance". FanSided. Retrieved 7 November 2024.
  58. ^ Laine, Sami (24 April 2013). "Porin Ässät palasi Suomen mestariksi 35 vuoden tauon jälkeen!". Yle (in Finnish). Retrieved 8 October 2023.
[edit]
Awards and achievements
Preceded by Buffalo Sabres first round draft pick
2011 		Succeeded by
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