Teppo Numminen
Encyclopedia
Teppo Kalevi Numminen (born July 3, 1968) is a retired Finnish professional ice hockey
defenceman
who played in the National Hockey League
. He is currently an assistant coach for the Buffalo Sabres
.
, in the SM-liiga
. Drafted twenty-ninth overall in the 1986 NHL Entry Draft
by the Winnipeg Jets, Numminen moved to North America in 1988 to play for the Jets. He moved with the team as it became the Phoenix Coyotes
before the 1996–97 season. He played in the NHL All-Star Game in both 1999 and 2000. After fifteen seasons playing for the Winnipeg/Phoenix organization, Numminen was traded to the Dallas Stars
in July, 2003, for Mike Sillinger
. Numminen took a break from hockey during the 2004–05 NHL lockout, then signed as a free agent with the Buffalo Sabres
.
On November 13, 2006, Numminen played his 1252nd game in the NHL and in the process, set a record for most NHL games played as a European-trained player, surpassing Jari Kurri
. At the time of his retirement, Numminen was the last player from the 1986 NHL Entry Draft
still playing in the NHL.
After signing a one-year contract for the 2007–08 NHL season, Numminen was forced to undergo open heart surgery before the start of the season. Numminen was suspended by the Buffalo Sabres when it was discovered he needed heart surgery. Buffalo Sabres GM Darcy Regier
stated the suspension was because his $2.6 million dollar contract was not insured, and the contract contains a clause that states the player must pass the physical and be fit to play.
Word came that Numminen's heart surgery was successful. Completed on September 20, 2007, at the Cleveland Clinic
, the surgery was performed to repair a faulty valve. Numminen was able to return to action for the final game of the Sabres' 2007–08
season on April 5, 2008.
Per a statement by Buffalo Sabres
GM Regier, Numminen expressed some interest in returning to NHL play for at least another year. On August 8, 2008, Numminen re-signed with the Buffalo Sabres.
He was the leader among active NHL players who played the most games without winning the Stanley Cup: 1,372 at the end of the 2008-09 season.
Numminen announced his retirement on August 4, 2009. The 41-year old finished his NHL career with 117 goals and 520 assists for 637 points in 1372 NHL games. At the time of his retirement, his 1372 NHL games were the most by a European-born and trained player at any position; this record would be broken by Nicklas Lidstrom
in the 2009-10 season.
On January 30, 2010, the Phoenix Coyotes retired Numminen's #27. During his 15 seasons for the franchise (including their previous incarnation as the Winnipeg Jets) he played 1,098 games, a then franchise record. His 534 points are also a franchise record for defencemen.
Team.
. The company produces ice hockey sticks and equipment and was recently sold to the large hockey brand Warrior
.
by the Winnipeg Jets but he never made it to the NHL.
Ice hockey
Ice hockey, often referred to as hockey, is a team sport played on ice, in which skaters use wooden or composite sticks to shoot a hard rubber puck into their opponent's net. The game is played between two teams of six players each. Five members of each team skate up and down the ice trying to take...
defenceman
Defenceman (ice hockey)
Defence in ice hockey is a player position whose primary responsibility is to prevent the opposing team from scoring...
who played in the National Hockey League
National Hockey League
The National Hockey League is an unincorporated not-for-profit association which operates a major professional ice hockey league of 30 franchised member clubs, of which 7 are currently located in Canada and 23 in the United States...
. He is currently an assistant coach for the Buffalo Sabres
Buffalo Sabres
The Buffalo Sabres are a professional ice hockey team based in Buffalo, New York. They are members of the Northeast Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League .-Founding and early success: 1970-71—1980-81:...
.
Playing career
Numminen started his career with his local team, TapparaTappara
Tappara is an ice hockey team in the SM-liiga. They play in Tampere, Finland at Tampereen jäähalli. The team have won 15 league championships ....
, in the SM-liiga
SM-liiga
The SM-liiga is the top professional ice hockey league in Finland. As of March 2008, it is ranked by the IIHF as the second strongest league in Europe. It was created in 1975 to replace the SM-sarja, which was fundamentally an amateur league. The SM-liiga is not directly overseen by the Finnish Ice...
. Drafted twenty-ninth overall in the 1986 NHL Entry Draft
1986 NHL Entry Draft
The 1986 NHL Entry Draft was held on June 21, 1986 at the Montreal Forum in Montreal, Quebec. The National Hockey League teams selected 252 players eligible for entry into professional ranks, in the reverse order of the 1985–86 NHL season and playoff standings...
by the Winnipeg Jets, Numminen moved to North America in 1988 to play for the Jets. He moved with the team as it became the Phoenix Coyotes
Phoenix Coyotes
The Phoenix Coyotes are a professional ice hockey team based in Glendale, Arizona. They are members of the Pacific Division of the Western Conference of the National Hockey League . They play their home games at Jobing.com Arena....
before the 1996–97 season. He played in the NHL All-Star Game in both 1999 and 2000. After fifteen seasons playing for the Winnipeg/Phoenix organization, Numminen was traded to the Dallas Stars
Dallas Stars
The Dallas Stars are a professional ice hockey team based in Dallas, Texas. They are members of the Pacific Division of the Western Conference of the National Hockey League . The team was founded during the 1967 NHL expansion as the Minnesota North Stars, based in Bloomington, Minnesota. The...
in July, 2003, for Mike Sillinger
Mike Sillinger
Mike Sillinger is the current Director of Player Development for the Edmonton Oilers, and a retired Canadian ice hockey player who played in the National Hockey League for 17 seasons...
. Numminen took a break from hockey during the 2004–05 NHL lockout, then signed as a free agent with the Buffalo Sabres
Buffalo Sabres
The Buffalo Sabres are a professional ice hockey team based in Buffalo, New York. They are members of the Northeast Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League .-Founding and early success: 1970-71—1980-81:...
.
On November 13, 2006, Numminen played his 1252nd game in the NHL and in the process, set a record for most NHL games played as a European-trained player, surpassing Jari Kurri
Jari Kurri
Jari Pekka Kurri is a retired Finnish professional ice hockey right winger and a five-time Stanley Cup champion. He was inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame in 2001. He is currently the general manager of Team Finland....
. At the time of his retirement, Numminen was the last player from the 1986 NHL Entry Draft
1986 NHL Entry Draft
The 1986 NHL Entry Draft was held on June 21, 1986 at the Montreal Forum in Montreal, Quebec. The National Hockey League teams selected 252 players eligible for entry into professional ranks, in the reverse order of the 1985–86 NHL season and playoff standings...
still playing in the NHL.
After signing a one-year contract for the 2007–08 NHL season, Numminen was forced to undergo open heart surgery before the start of the season. Numminen was suspended by the Buffalo Sabres when it was discovered he needed heart surgery. Buffalo Sabres GM Darcy Regier
Darcy Regier
Darcy John Regier is the current general manager of the Buffalo Sabres of the National Hockey League. He also played 26 games in the NHL for the Cleveland Barons and New York Islanders as a defenceman...
stated the suspension was because his $2.6 million dollar contract was not insured, and the contract contains a clause that states the player must pass the physical and be fit to play.
Word came that Numminen's heart surgery was successful. Completed on September 20, 2007, at the Cleveland Clinic
Cleveland Clinic
The Cleveland Clinic is a multispecialty academic medical center located in Cleveland, Ohio, United States. The Cleveland Clinic is currently regarded as one of the top 4 hospitals in the United States as rated by U.S. News & World Report...
, the surgery was performed to repair a faulty valve. Numminen was able to return to action for the final game of the Sabres' 2007–08
2007–08 Buffalo Sabres season
The 2007–08 Buffalo Sabres season began on October 5, 2007. It was the Buffalo Sabres' 38th season in the National Hockey League.Prior to the season, the Sabres lost their co-captains of the previous two seasons, Danny Briere and Chris Drury. Briere and Drury were signed as free agents on July 1...
season on April 5, 2008.
Per a statement by Buffalo Sabres
Buffalo Sabres
The Buffalo Sabres are a professional ice hockey team based in Buffalo, New York. They are members of the Northeast Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League .-Founding and early success: 1970-71—1980-81:...
GM Regier, Numminen expressed some interest in returning to NHL play for at least another year. On August 8, 2008, Numminen re-signed with the Buffalo Sabres.
He was the leader among active NHL players who played the most games without winning the Stanley Cup: 1,372 at the end of the 2008-09 season.
Numminen announced his retirement on August 4, 2009. The 41-year old finished his NHL career with 117 goals and 520 assists for 637 points in 1372 NHL games. At the time of his retirement, his 1372 NHL games were the most by a European-born and trained player at any position; this record would be broken by Nicklas Lidstrom
Nicklas Lidström
Nicklas Erik Lidström is a Swedish professional ice hockey defenseman who has played his entire National Hockey League career with the Detroit Red Wings, and is their captain...
in the 2009-10 season.
On January 30, 2010, the Phoenix Coyotes retired Numminen's #27. During his 15 seasons for the franchise (including their previous incarnation as the Winnipeg Jets) he played 1,098 games, a then franchise record. His 534 points are also a franchise record for defencemen.
International play
Numminen has won two silver medals ('88 & '06) and a bronze ('98) playing with the Finnish OlympicIce hockey at the Olympic Games
Ice hockey tournaments have been staged at the Olympic Games since 1920. The men's tournament was introduced at the 1920 Summer Olympics and was transferred permanently to the Winter Olympic Games programme in 1924. The women's tournament was first held at the 1998 Winter Olympics...
Team.
Other activities
Numminen used to own 80% of Montreal Sports Ltd, which is a company founded by his father, KaleviKalevi Numminen
Veijo Kalevi Numminen is a retired professional ice hockey player who played in the SM-liiga. He played for Tappara...
. The company produces ice hockey sticks and equipment and was recently sold to the large hockey brand Warrior
Warrior Sports
Warrior Sports is a manufacturer of lacrosse and ice hockey equipment and apparel based in Warren, Michigan, United States.-History:Warrior Sports was founded in 1992 by David Morrow, a former lacrosse player. In 2004 Warrior Sports was acquired by privately-held New Balance Athletic Shoe, Inc...
.
Personal life
Numminen and his wife Ann-Maarit have two daughters, Bianca and Erica, and one son, Niklas. His brother, center Teemu Numminen (born December 23, 1973) was drafted 229th overall in the 1992 NHL Entry Draft1992 NHL Entry Draft
The 1992 NHL Entry Draft was held on June 20 at the Montreal Forum in Montreal, Quebec. A total of 264 players were drafted.-Selections by round:Club teams are located in North America unless otherwise noted.-Round one:-Round two:-Round three:...
by the Winnipeg Jets but he never made it to the NHL.
Career statistics
| Regular season | Playoffs | |||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Season Season (sports) In an organized sports league, a season is the portion of one year in which regulated games of the sport are in session. For example, in Major League Baseball, one season lasts approximately from April 1 through October 1; in Association football, it is generally from August until May In an... |
Team | League | GP | G Goal (ice hockey) In ice hockey, a goal is scored when the puck completely crosses the goal line between the two goal posts and below the goal crossbar. A goal awards one point to the team attacking the goal scored upon, regardless of which team the player who actually deflected the puck into the goal belongs to... |
A Assist (ice hockey) In ice hockey, an assist is attributed to up to two players of the scoring team who shot, passed or deflected the puck towards the scoring teammate, or touched it in any other way which enabled the goal, meaning that they were "assisting" in the goal. There can be a maximum of two assists per goal... |
Pts Point (ice hockey) Point in ice hockey has three official meanings:* A point is awarded to a player for each goal scored or assist earned. The total number of goals plus assists equals total points. In some European leagues, a goal counts as two points, and an assist counts as one... |
+/- | PIM Penalty (ice hockey) A penalty in ice hockey is a punishment for inappropriate behavior. Most penalties are enforced by detaining the offending player within a penalty box for a set number of minutes, during which, the player can not participate in play. The offending team usually may not replace the player on the ice,... |
GP | G | A | Pts | +/- | PIM | ||
| 1984–85 1984–85 OJHL season The 1984–85 OJHL season is the 13th season of the Ontario Junior Hockey League . The eight teams of the league played a 48-game season. The all eight teams made the playoffs.... |
Whitby Lawmen Whitby Lawmen The Whitby Lawmen are a defunct Junior "A" ice hockey team from Whitby, Ontario, Canada. They were a part of the Ontario Provincial Junior A Hockey League.-History:... |
OJHL | 16 | 3 | 9 | 12 | — | 0 | — | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 1985–86 | Tappara Jr. | Fin-Jr. | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — | 0 | 3 | 0 | 1 | 1 | — | 2 | ||
| 1985–86 | Tappara Tappara Tappara is an ice hockey team in the SM-liiga. They play in Tampere, Finland at Tampereen jäähalli. The team have won 15 league championships .... |
SM-liiga SM-liiga The SM-liiga is the top professional ice hockey league in Finland. As of March 2008, it is ranked by the IIHF as the second strongest league in Europe. It was created in 1975 to replace the SM-sarja, which was fundamentally an amateur league. The SM-liiga is not directly overseen by the Finnish Ice... |
31 | 2 | 4 | 6 | — | 6 | 8 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — | 0 | ||
| 1986–87 | Tappara | SM-liiga | 44 | 9 | 9 | 18 | — | 16 | 9 | 4 | 1 | 5 | — | 4 | ||
| 1987–88 | Tappara | SM-liiga | 40 | 10 | 10 | 20 | — | 29 | 10 | 6 | 6 | 12 | — | 6 | ||
| 1988–89 | Winnipeg Jets | NHL National Hockey League The National Hockey League is an unincorporated not-for-profit association which operates a major professional ice hockey league of 30 franchised member clubs, of which 7 are currently located in Canada and 23 in the United States... |
69 | 1 | 14 | 15 | -11 | 36 | — | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 1989–90 | Winnipeg Jets | NHL | 79 | 11 | 32 | 43 | -4 | 20 | 7 | 1 | 2 | 3 | +1 | 10 | ||
| 1990–91 | Winnipeg Jets | NHL | 80 | 8 | 25 | 33 | -15 | 20 | — | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 1991–92 | Winnipeg Jets | NHL | 80 | 5 | 34 | 39 | +15 | 32 | 7 | 0 | 0 | 0 | -3 | 0 | ||
| 1992–93 | Winnipeg Jets | NHL | 66 | 7 | 30 | 37 | +4 | 33 | 6 | 1 | 1 | 2 | -4 | 2 | ||
| 1993–94 | Winnipeg Jets | NHL | 57 | 5 | 18 | 23 | -23 | 28 | — | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 1994–95 | Winnipeg Jets | NHL | 42 | 5 | 16 | 21 | +12 | 16 | — | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 1994–95 | TuTo TuTo TuTo is a Finnish ice hockey team based at the new Kupittaan jäähalli , Turku. Established in 1929. TuTo plays in Turku, Finland, and is one of two clubs in that city . Full name of the club is TuTo Hockey... |
SM-liiga | 12 | 3 | 8 | 11 | — | 4 | — | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 1995–96 | Winnipeg Jets | NHL | 74 | 11 | 43 | 54 | -4 | 22 | 6 | 0 | 0 | 0 | -3 | 2 | ||
| 1996–97 | Phoenix Coyotes Phoenix Coyotes The Phoenix Coyotes are a professional ice hockey team based in Glendale, Arizona. They are members of the Pacific Division of the Western Conference of the National Hockey League . They play their home games at Jobing.com Arena.... |
NHL | 82 | 2 | 25 | 27 | -3 | 28 | 7 | 3 | 3 | 6 | +3 | 0 | ||
| 1997–98 | Phoenix Coyotes | NHL | 82 | 11 | 40 | 51 | +25 | 30 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | ||
| 1998–99 | Phoenix Coyotes | NHL | 82 | 10 | 30 | 40 | +3 | 30 | 7 | 2 | 1 | 3 | -5 | 4 | ||
| 1999–00 | Phoenix Coyotes | NHL | 79 | 8 | 34 | 42 | +21 | 16 | 5 | 1 | 1 | 2 | +1 | 0 | ||
| 2000–01 | Phoenix Coyotes | NHL | 72 | 5 | 26 | 31 | +9 | 36 | — | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 2001–02 | Phoenix Coyotes | NHL | 76 | 13 | 35 | 48 | +13 | 20 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | ||
| 2002–03 | Phoenix Coyotes | NHL | 78 | 6 | 24 | 30 | 0 | 30 | — | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 2003–04 | Dallas Stars Dallas Stars The Dallas Stars are a professional ice hockey team based in Dallas, Texas. They are members of the Pacific Division of the Western Conference of the National Hockey League . The team was founded during the 1967 NHL expansion as the Minnesota North Stars, based in Bloomington, Minnesota. The... |
NHL | 62 | 3 | 14 | 17 | -5 | 18 | 4 | 0 | 1 | 1 | -1 | 0 | ||
| 2005–06 | Buffalo Sabres Buffalo Sabres The Buffalo Sabres are a professional ice hockey team based in Buffalo, New York. They are members of the Northeast Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League .-Founding and early success: 1970-71—1980-81:... |
NHL | 75 | 2 | 38 | 40 | +6 | 36 | 12 | 1 | 1 | 2 | +3 | 4 | ||
| 2006–07 | Buffalo Sabres | NHL | 79 | 2 | 27 | 29 | +17 | 32 | 16 | 0 | 4 | 4 | +10 | 4 | ||
| 2007–08 | Buffalo Sabres | NHL | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 2008–09 2008–09 NHL season The 2008–09 NHL season was the 92nd season of operation of the National Hockey League . It was the first season since prior to the 2004–05 lockout in which every team played each other at least once during the season, following three seasons where teams only played against two divisions in the... |
Buffalo Sabres | NHL | 57 | 2 | 15 | 17 | -4 | 22 | — | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| NHL totals | 1372 | 117 | 520 | 637 | +56 | 513 | 82 | 9 | 14 | 23 | +2 | 28 | ||||
| SM-liiga totals | 127 | 24 | 31 | 55 | — | 55 | 27 | 10 | 7 | 17 | — | 10 | ||||
External links
- Teppo Numminen - Sabres.com
- Teppo Numminen on nhlfinns.com