Pro-hockey player Janne Puhakka murdered at the age of 29-years-old by his 65-year-old boyfriend

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Austin Sabourin
October 14, 2024 (9:30 PM)

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Janne Puhakka a 29-year-old professional hockey player was murdered by his 65-year-old boyfriend who was arrested.

The last time Puhakka played professional hockey was in France in 2018. The other day it was reported that Puhakka was found dead in his house at the age of just 29-years-old.

The hockey community was shocked to find out that the first openly gay hockey player was found murdered by his boyfriend. Puhakka played in Finland's SM-Liiga which is the highest level of hockey in Finland.

"We suspect sound judgment and a particularly brutal and cruel way of doing things," said Hogman as per Ilta-Sanomat.

It was reported by local media Ilta-Sanomat, that after a request by a local citizen, Puhakka was found dead in his home. The only suspect authorities have now is Puhakka's former partner, Rolf Nordmo.

Nordmo surrendered himself to the authorities, and Investigator Matti Hogman believes they have a good idea of how Puhakka's life ended.

"We suspect sound judgment and a particularly brutal and cruel way of doing things," said Hogman as per Ilta-Sanomat.

Puhakka was a well known name to European fans, but wasn't a big name to North American fans. In 2016 he played for the Espoo Blues before heading to the 2nd biggest professional league in Finland, the Mestis League.

Born and raised in Espoo, Puhakka went to North America and played junior hockey for the QMJHL's Chicoutimi Saguenéens from 2013 to 2015. In two seasons, he recorded 76 points in 140 regular-season and playoff games.

Puhakka played 40 Liiga games for his hometown Espoo Blues in 2015-16, recording a goal and an assist. He spent the better part of two seasons in the Mestis, Finland's second-tier league, before spending the 2017-18 season with the Gap Rapaces in France's Ligue Magnus.

Puhakka did spend some time in the QMJHL with the Chicoutimi, and would score 69 points in 131 games with the club, but would finish his hockey career playing in France for Gap HC.

"The games were stressful for me, when Rolf came to see me,» he said. «He had to be hidden, which of course he didn't like."

"Janne Puhakka was an important role model, and his courage and openness left an indelible mark on Finnish hockey," the Finnish Liiga said in a social media post on Monday.

In 2019 Puhakka came out as the first openly game hockey player, after fully retiring from professional hockey.

Our thoughts and prayers are with family and friends of Janne Puhakka after being a victim of a terrible crime.

As seen on Hawksinsider:
29-year old pro hockey player Jane Puhakka murdered, 65-year old boyfriend arrested