Jake Virtanen
Jacob Virtanen | |
|---|---|
| Born | August 17, 1996 New Westminster, British Columbia, Canada |
| Occupation | Professional ice hockey player |
| Known for | Playing for Vancouver Canucks in the NHL; currently with HK Dukla Michalovce |
Jacob Virtanen (born August 17, 1996) is a professional ice hockey player of Finnish-Canadian descent, currently competing with HK Dukla Michalovce in the Slovak Extraliga. Selected sixth overall by the Vancouver Canucks during the 2014 NHL Entry Draft, he played for the NHL franchise from 2015 through 2021.
Virtanen honed his talents with the Calgary Hitmen in the Western Hockey League (WHL) and represented Canada in five international competitions, including the 2015 World Junior Ice Hockey Championships and 2016 World Junior Ice Hockey Championships.
Early life
Born in New Westminster, British Columbia, Virtanen spent his formative years in Langley before relocating to Abbotsford. He was a student at Fraser Middle School Hockey Academy and Yale Secondary School, where coaches praised his powerful wrist shot and physical style. His background in rugby also influenced his aggressive approach on the ice.
Virtanen’s father, Rainer, emigrated from Finland, while his mother is of French Canadian heritage. He holds Finnish citizenship through his paternal lineage and sports a tattoo of Finland’s coat of arms on his right forearm.
Minor
Raised in Abbotsford, Virtanen began playing minor hockey locally. During the 2010–11 season at the bantam level with the Abbotsford Hawks, he tallied 68 goals and 117 points over 59 games. At age 15, he spent most of the 2011–12 campaign with the Fraser Valley Bruins in midget hockey, compiling 39 points in as many games alongside accumulating 120 penalty minutes.
Junior
The Calgary Hitmen of the Western Hockey League selected Virtanen first overall in the 2011 WHL Bantam Draft. He appeared in nine contests during the 2011–12 season and secured a regular roster spot in 2012–13, registering 16 goals and 34 points across 62 games while establishing himself as a top prospect for the 2014 NHL Entry Draft. In his second full junior season, Virtanen nearly tripled his goal production to 45 and added 26 assists for a total of 71 points. Midway through the season, the NHL Central Scouting Bureau ranked him ninth among North American skaters, and he participated in the CHL/NHL Top Prospects Game. By season’s end, he advanced to sixth place among North American skaters. The Hockey News described him as a "pure goal scorer" with notable physicality and shooting prowess but highlighted areas for improvement in playmaking and hockey IQ. Following shoulder surgery in May 2014, he was sidelined until December.
Vancouver Canucks
Virtanen was chosen sixth overall by the Vancouver Canucks in the 2014 NHL Entry Draft, becoming the first first-round pick born in British Columbia by the team since Cam Neely in 1983. On July 25, 2014, he inked an entry-level contract with Vancouver. After concluding his final junior season with Calgary, Virtanen joined Vancouver’s AHL affiliate, the Utica Comets, for their 2015 Calder Cup playoff run, marking his professional debut and gaining exposure to a faster-paced, more physical level of play.
After impressing at Canucks’ training camp in 2015, Virtanen earned a roster spot for opening night of the 2015–16 NHL season. He made his NHL debut on October 13, 2015, shortly followed by recording his first NHL point. Securing a place beyond his initial nine-game trial period, he netted his first NHL goal on November 1, 2015. After appearing in 19 games with one goal and four points, he was sent to Utica on a conditioning assignment before joining Team Canada at the 2016 World Junior Championships. He completed his rookie NHL campaign with 13 points over 55 games.
Arriving overweight at the Canucks’ 2016 training camp, Virtanen spent most of that season with Utica after only ten appearances for Vancouver. Briefly recalled in November, he returned to Utica where he contributed 19 points across 65 games primarily playing a bottom-six role. His progress earned him a spot on Vancouver’s roster for opening night of the 2017–18 season; he remained for the entire year and recorded 20 points in 75 games. On July 25, 2018, Virtanen signed a two-year contract worth $1.25 million; General Manager Jim Benning emphasized his "physical presence and speed."
Prior to the start of the 2018–19 season, local radio personalities nicknamed him "Shotgun Jake," pledging to shotgun a beer each time he scored—a campaign that gained traction among fans on social media platforms. Despite beginning strongly with a career-best 22 points through 58 games, Virtanen suffered a fractured rib in February that sidelined him for approximately one month.
During training camp ahead of the 2019 season, head coach Travis Green placed Virtanen in the third skating group citing unmet offseason objectives. Although anticipated to have limited responsibilities, he achieved a personal best of 36 points over 69 games during that shortened campaign. During the NHL’s Return to Play phase amid the COVID-19 pandemic, Virtanen faced internal disciplinary action after visiting a nightclub but returned to contribute significantly as Vancouver advanced past Minnesota and St. Louis in the playoffs—scoring key goals including a game-winner against Vegas. He finished postseason play with three points across sixteen games.
On October 22, 2020, Virtanen agreed to a two-year contract extension worth $5.1 million with Vancouver. However, during the pandemic-delayed season he struggled offensively, managing only five goals over thirty-eight games.
The Canucks placed Virtanen on leave on May 1, 2021 following allegations of sexual misconduct; subsequently his $3.4 million contract was bought out in July. In January 2022 he faced sexual assault charges linked to an incident dated September 26, 2017; nevertheless, he was acquitted by jury verdict on July 26, 2022.
Russia
Unable to finalize an NHL contract due to unresolved sexual misconduct accusations, Virtanen remained unsigned as a free agent. On September 7, 2021, he secured a one-year contract with Spartak Moscow of the KHL. However, on March 7, 2022, he was released for "breach of contract" amid the exodus of foreign players following the 2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine.
Switzerland
Virtanen sought an NHL comeback by signing a professional tryout agreement with the Edmonton Oilers on September 19, 2022. After participating in training camp and preseason activities, he was released on October 6, 2022. Subsequently, on November 6, 2022, he inked a two-year deal with EHC Visp, a second-tier Swiss League (SL) team. In February 2023, following a conflict with a teammate in January and a team ultimatum to retain either him or another player, Virtanen was dismissed from EHC Visp.
Germany
Following free agency, Virtanen joined the German DEL side Fischtown Pinguins on February 14, 2023, signing for the remainder of the 2022–23 season with an option for an additional year. He later committed to a one-year contract with another DEL club, the Iserlohn Roosters, on May 30, 2024, where he accumulated 19 points over 46 games.
Slovakia
Continuing his European career trajectory, Virtanen signed a one-year contract with HK Dukla Michalovce of the Slovak Extraliga on July 30, 2025.
International play
Virtanen made his international debut representing Canada’s under-18 squad at the 2012 Ivan Hlinka Memorial Tournament, playing a supporting role as Canada captured its sixth straight gold medal. After an early exit from the WHL playoffs, he rejoined Canada’s national team for the 2014 IIHF World U18 Championships, leading the team in scoring with six points and helping secure bronze.
During the 2016 IIHF World Junior Championships held in Helsinki, Virtanen registered one assist across five games and led Team Canada in penalty minutes. The Canadian squad was eliminated in the quarterfinal round by host nation Finland.
Allegations of sexual assault and subsequent acquittal
On May 1, 2021, the Vancouver Canucks placed Virtanen on administrative leave following an accusation of sexual assault made by a woman identified as "M.S." The pair initially connected at the 2017 Calgary Stampede and maintained communication thereafter. The allegation stated that during a visit to Vancouver in September 2017, Virtanen engaged in non-consensual sexual intercourse. The Canucks emphasized their zero-tolerance policy toward sexual misconduct and treated the matter with utmost seriousness.
The complainant decided to come forward after observing others share their experiences on Twitter. While Virtanen admitted to having had sexual relations, he denied any coercion, maintaining that the act was consensual. Contrarily, M.S. testified that she expressed refusal verbally and physically resisted.
Following a police inquiry initiated in May 2021, Virtanen faced a charge of sexual assault in January 2022. The trial commenced on July 18, 2022, at the Supreme Court of British Columbia in Vancouver. On July 26, the jury returned a verdict of not guilty. Virtanen conveyed his relief and readiness to continue his professional hockey career.
Engagement
In February 2024, Virtanen revealed his engagement to his partner Emily through a post on his Instagram profile.
Regular Season and Playoffs
| Regular season | Playoffs | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Season | Team | League | GP | G | A | Pts | PIM | GP | G | A | Pts | PIM | ||||||||||||||||
| 2010–11 | Abbotsford Hawks | PCBHL | 59 | 68 | 49 | 117 | — | — | — | — | — | — | ||||||||||||||||
| 2011–12 | Fraser Valley Bruins | BCMML | 39 | 17 | 22 | 39 | 120 | — | — | — | — | — | ||||||||||||||||
| 2011–12 | Calgary Hitmen | WHL | 9 | 3 | 1 | 4 | 4 | 5 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 4 | ||||||||||||||||
| 2012–13 | Calgary Hitmen | WHL | 62 | 16 | 18 | 34 | 67 | 15 | 2 | 4 | 6 | 27 | ||||||||||||||||
| 2013–14 | Calgary Hitmen | WHL | 71 | 45 | 26 | 71 | 100 | 6 | 1 | 3 | 4 | 4 | ||||||||||||||||
| 2014–15 | Calgary Hitmen | WHL | 50 | 21 | 31 | 52 | 82 | 14 | 5 | 8 | 13 | 28 | ||||||||||||||||
| 2014–15 | Utica Comets | AHL | — | — | — | — | — | 10 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 6 | ||||||||||||||||
| 2015–16 | Vancouver Canucks | NHL | 55 | 7 | 6 | 13 | 45 | — | — | — | — | — | ||||||||||||||||
| 2015–16 | Utica Comets | AHL | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — | — | — | — | — | ||||||||||||||||
| 2016–17 | Vancouver Canucks | NHL | 10 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 2 | |||||||||||||||||||||
| 2016–17 | Utica Comets | AHL | 65 | 9 | 10 | 19 | 48 | |||||||||||||||||||||
| 2017–18 | Vancouver Canucks | NHL | 75 | 10 | 10 | 20 | 46 | |||||||||||||||||||||
| 2018–19 | Vancouver Canucks | NHL | 70 | 15 | 10 | 25 | 44 | |||||||||||||||||||||
| 2019–20 |Vancouver Canucks |NHL |69||18||18||36||41 |16||2||1||3||25 |- | 2020–21 |Vancouver Canucks |NHL |38||5||0||5||41 |- bgcolor="#f0f0f0" | 2021–22 |HC Spartak Moscow |KHL |36||9||7||16||24 |- |
2022–23 |EHC Visp |SL |21||14||11||25||44 |- bgcolor="#f0f0f0" |
2022–23 |Fischtown Pinguins |DEL |8||1||1||2||2 |8||1||1||2||10 |- | 2023–24 |Fischtown Pinguins |DEL |36||6||15||21||27 |2||0||0||0||0 |- bgcolor="#f0f0f0" | 2024–25 |Iserlohn Roosters |DEL |46||6||13||19||29 |- bgcolor="#e0e0e0" | NHL totals !317 | 55 | 45 | 100 | 219 !16 | 2 | 1 | 3 | - bgcolor="#e0e0e0" | KHL totals !36 | 9 | 7 | 16 | 24 !— | — | — | — | — | ||||
International
| Year | Team | Tournament | Placement | GP | G | A | Pts | PIM | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2013 | Canada Pacific | U17 | 5th place | 5 | 5 | 2 | 7 | 8 | |
| 2013 | Canada | IH18 | Gold | 5 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 4 | |
| 2014 | Canada | WJC18 | Bronze | 7 | 3 | 3 | 6 | 10 | |
| 2015 | Canada | WJC | Gold | 7 | 1 | 3 | 4 | 4 | |
| 2016 | Canada | WJC | Sixth place | 5 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 10 | |
| Junior career totals | 24 | 9 | 9 | 18 | 26 | ||||