Samu Salminen

Samu Salminen
Born	(2003-04-09) April 9, 2003 Finland
Occupation	Ice hockey forward
Years active	2019–present
Known for	Playing for University of Denver, drafted by New Jersey Devils

Samu Salminen (born April 9, 2003) is a Finnish ice hockey forward currently playing for the University of Denver in the NCAA. He was selected 68th overall by the New Jersey Devils during the 2021 NHL Entry Draft.

Playing career

Salminen progressed through the Jokerit organization, making his first appearance in the U20 SM-sarja during the 2019–20 season, where he tallied 20 points across 23 games before sustaining a collarbone injury. In the pandemic-affected 2020–21 campaign, he took on the role of alternate captain and elevated his production to 26 points in just 17 contests. Shortly prior to being drafted by New Jersey, he underwent surgery to repair his collarbone.

Opting to commit to the University of Denver, Salminen deferred turning professional for the 2021–22 season. Due to pandemic-related complications, he remained in Finland’s U20 league, serving as team captain and leading with 48 points in 44 games. In August 2022, challenges with university admission led him to transfer to the University of Connecticut. After visa issues delayed his arrival, he made his debut in October 2022 and concluded the season with 17 points over 27 games while playing on UConn’s top offensive line. The Huskies’ season ended with a loss in the Hockey East quarterfinals.

In January 2024, Salminen executed a remarkable Michigan goal. However, a game misconduct penalty in February for an illegal check resulted in a one-game suspension. He finished that season ranking third on UConn’s roster with seven goals and ten assists. Midway through 2024, Salminen announced his intention to transfer back to Denver.

International play

Salminen has represented Finland at various youth levels including under-16, under-17, and under-18 categories but has not participated in any under-20 international competitions.

During his first international tournament at the 2019 World U-17 Hockey Challenge, he contributed three goals and five points over five matches. At the 2021 IIHF World U18 Championships, he amassed seven goals and totaled nine points throughout seven games.

Personal life

Hockey runs in Salminen’s family; he has two elder brothers who also played professionally. Saku Salminen was drafted in the seventh round by the Tampa Bay Lightning and had a prominent career in Finland’s SM-liiga, while Sami Salminen played collegiate hockey at Northern Michigan University and competed professionally in Finland’s Mestis league. Their father Pekka played minor pro hockey in Finland before transitioning into coaching.

Regular season and playoffs

				Regular season						Playoffs
Season	Team	League		GP	G	A	Pts	PIM		GP	G	A	Pts	PIM
2019–20	Jokerit	U20 SM-sarja		23	7	13	20	10		—	—	—	—	—
2021–22	Jokerit	U20 SM-sarja		17	10	16	26	10		2	0	0	0	0
2022–23	Jokerit	U20 SM-sarja		1	0	0	0	0		—	—	—	—	—
2022–23	UConn	HE		27	9	8	17	14		—	—	—	—	—
2023–24	UConn	HE		35	7	10	17	35		—	—	—	—	—
2024–25	University of Denver	NCHC		44	10	18	28	21		—	—	—	—	—
NCAA totals				106	26	36	62	70 !— !— !— !— !—

International

Year	Team	Competition	Placement		Games Played	Goals	Assists	Points	Penalty Minutes
2019	Finland	U17	7th place		5	3	2	5	6
2021	Finland	U18	4th place		7	7	2	9	2
Junior career totals					12	10	4	14	8

Awards and honors

Award	Year
U20 SM-sarja
First All-Star Team selection	2022