Jarmo Wasama
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Position | Defence |
Catches | Left |
Nickname(s) | Taistelija ("Warrior") |
Height Weight |
6 ft 1 in (1.85 m) 184 lb (83 kg/13 st 2 lb) |
Pro clubs | SM-liiga Ilves |
Nationality | Finland |
Born | December 2, 1943 , Elimäki, Finland |
Died | February 2, 1966 (aged 22), Tampere, Finland |
Pro career | 1960 – 1966 |
Jarmo Wasama (b. December 2, 1943, Elimäki, Finland - d. February 2, 1966, Tampere, Finland) was a professional ice hockey player who played in the SM-liiga. He played for Ilves. He was inducted into the Finnish Hockey Hall of Fame in 1985. Wasama won two championships (one after death), one silver and two bronzes. He was elected to all-star team 5 times (one after death). Despite his young age by the time of his death Wasama had already played 74 times for national team including 3 World Championship tournaments and 1 Olympics.
Wasama possessed good skills for a defenseman in Finland and it is much speculated would Wasama have been the first Finnish player in the NHL.
Wasama lost his life in an automobile accident in a foggy weather in February of 1966 while on the way to home from practise, Wasama's car got struck by a tractor which got stalled on the road. Wasama's car also had a passenger, his father who did suffer some injuries but survived the accident. Wasama's father was also a former Ilves-player.
Wasama's jersey number 2 was immediately retired from use by Ilves.
The trophy which is handed out to the best "rookie" player in SM-liiga is named as Jarmo Wasama memorial trophy in honour of Wasama.