Ilkka Mikkola

Ilkka Mikkola
Born	January 18, 1979 Kiiminki, Finland
Height	5 ft 11 in (180 cm)
Weight	196 lb (89 kg; 14 st 0 lb)
Position	Defenceman
Shoots	Left
SM-liiga team	Lukko
NHL Draft	65, 1997 Montreal Canadiens
Playing career	1996–present

Ilkka Mikkola (born January 18, 1979 in Kiiminki, Finland) is a professional ice hockey defenceman, who currently plays for Lukko in Finnish hockey league SM-liiga.

In the time of his 12 seasons in league, Mikkola has won eight championships, which is more than any active player in the league. In the 2004–2005 SM-liiga season, Mikkola was the best defenceman of the league and was also chosen to the SM-liiga All Star-game. Of the eight championships he has won four with Kärpät, one with Jokerit and three with TPS.

Including the eight championships in SM-liiga, Mikkola has also won gold medal in 1998 World Junior Ice Hockey Championships. He has also won silver medal in U18 European Championships. Mikkola was drafted to NHL by Montreal Canadiens in third round as 65th overall in 1997 NHL Entry Draft.^[1]

References