Lenni Hämeenaho
Lenni Hämeenaho | |
|---|---|
| Born | November 7, 2004 Finland |
| Occupation | Professional ice hockey player |
| Years active | 2022–present |
| Known for | Playing for Utica Comets (AHL), New Jersey Devils (NHL) |
Lenni Hämeenaho (, born on November 7, 2004) is a Finnish professional ice hockey right winger currently playing for the Utica Comets in the American Hockey League (AHL). He is under contract with the New Jersey Devils of the National Hockey League (NHL). Hämeenaho was selected 58th overall by the Devils during the second round of the 2023 NHL entry draft.
Junior
Hämeenaho started skating and playing ice hockey at the age of four. His early hockey development took place with Kajaanin Hokki, after which he relocated to Ylivieska to continue playing alongside his brother. During the 2019–20 season, both brothers, along with a teammate, moved to Pori to join the ranks of Porin Ässät.
Porin Ässät (2022–2025)
In April 2022, Hämeenaho secured a three-year deal with Ässät’s senior squad competing in the Liiga. At 17 years old, he made his professional debut on September 14, 2022, positioned as a right wing on Ässät’s fourth line. Hämeenaho netted his inaugural Liiga goal on October 29, 2022. He concluded that season with a total of 21 points across 51 games and added 4 points in 8 playoff appearances. On July 29, 2023, he was picked 58th overall by the New Jersey Devils in the 2023 NHL Entry Draft.
At the outset of the 2023–24 Liiga season, Hämeenaho led Ässät by scoring nine goals and accumulating 14 points over 18 games. By season’s end, he had tallied 14 goals and 31 points in 45 games, although Ässät narrowly missed qualifying for the playoffs. Subsequently, he played a pivotal role in guiding Ässät’s under-20 squad to a championship title by contributing 12 points in six games.
New Jersey Devils (2025–present)
On May 8, 2025, Hämeenaho inked a three-year entry-level contract with the New Jersey Devils. He was included on the Devils’ opening night roster on October 6 but was reassigned the following day to their AHL affiliate, the Utica Comets.
International play
Hämeenaho represented Finland at the European Youth Olympic Festival in 2022, where he recorded two goals and three assists. During the 2022 IIHF World U18 Championships, he helped Finland secure a bronze medal and was recognized as Finland’s best player in their matchup against Sweden.
Making his debut with Finland’s U20 team at the 2023 IIHF World Junior Championship, Hämeenaho contributed two points over five games. He returned for the 2024 IIHF World Junior Championship, delivering four goals and six points in total. Notably, he scored twice during the bronze medal game despite Finland falling short.
In April 2025, Hämeenaho earned selection to represent the Finland men's national ice hockey team at the 2025 IIHF World Championship.
Personal life
As of the 2023–24 season, Hämeenaho’s brother Veikka competes with Ässät’s U20 team. Their father, Jarmo Hämeenaho, formerly played for Kajaanin Hokki in Mestis and has experience coaching junior teams for both Hokki and Ässät. Lenni attended high school at Porin suomalainen yhteislyseo.
Regular season and playoffs
| Regular season | Playoffs | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Season | Team | League | GP | G | A | Pts | PIM | GP | G | A | Pts | PIM | ||
| 2020–21 | Porin Ässät | U20 SM-sarja | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 2021–22 | Porin Ässät | U20 SM-Sarja | 42 | 21 | 16 | 37 | 12 | 3 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 2 | ||
| 2021–22 | Kokkolan Hermes | Mestis | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 2022–23 | Porin Ässät | Liiga | 51 | 9 | 12 | 21 | 14 | 8 | 3 | 1 | 4 | 2 | ||
| 2023–24 | Porin Ässät | Liiga | 46 | 14 | 17 | 31 | 10 | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 2023–24 | Porin Ässät | U20 SM-sarja | — | — | — | — | — | 6 | 4 | 8 | 12 | 2 | ||
| 2024–25 | Porin Ässät | Liiga | 58 | 20 | 31 | 51 | 28 | 10 | 1 | 4 | 5 | 4 | ||
| Liiga totals | 155 | 43 | 60 | 103 | 52 | 18 | 4 | 5 | 9 | 6 | ||||
International
| Year | Team | Tournament | Placement | GP | G | A | Pts | PIM | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 | Finland | U18 | Template:Bronze3 | 6 | 2 | 1 | 3 | 2 | |
| 2023 | Finland | WJC | 5th place | 5 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 0 | |
| 2024 | Finland | WJC | 4th place | 7 | 4 | 2 | 6 | 4 | |
| 2025 | Finland | WC | 7th place | 8 | 1 | 3 | 4 | 2 | |
| Junior career totals !18 !7 !4 !11 !6 | |||||||||
| Senior career totals !8 !1 !3 !4 !2 | |||||||||
Awards and honors
| Award | Season |
|---|---|
| Esa Tikkanen Award (Best Player) | 2020–21 |