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Published Nov 16, 2024 • Last updated 48 minutes ago • 3 minute read
Toronto Maple Leafs defenseman Jani Hakanpaa, wearing number 28, showcased his skills during the first period of an NHL hockey showdown against the Washington Capitals on Wednesday, Nov. 13, 2024, in Washington. The game was captured by photojournalist Nick Wass from the Associated Press.
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In a brief yet impactful statement regarding his return to the National Hockey League, Jani Hakanpaa expressed his elation.
Unveiling his emotions on Saturday morning, he simply remarked, “Unreal. It was such a great feeling. It’s been a long time coming, a lot of hard work, a lot of hours put into that.”
Only 72 hours after logging 15 minutes and 36 seconds of ice time in his highly anticipated debut against the Capitals, Hakanpaa eagerly looked forward to donning his Toronto uniform again as he prepared for a matchup against the Edmonton Oilers at Scotiabank Arena on Saturday evening.
For the foreseeable future, Hakanpaa is set to pair with veteran defenseman Morgan Rielly, who is known for his on-ice intuition and offensive prowess.
On the other hand, Maple Leafs coach Craig Berube has developed a formidable pairing of Jake McCabe and Chris Tanev, capitalizing on their excellent shutdown capabilities. This particular partnership first took to the ice together on Oct. 26 in Boston and has remained strong since then.
With Oliver Ekman-Larsson joining forces with Connor Timmins on the third pairing, Berube now enjoys the luxury of three balanced left-right defensive duos, which he has shown to favor in past seasons.
Hakanpaa’s journey back to the NHL was anything but linear. Having not played since March 16 while with the Dallas Stars due to a knee injury, doubts surrounding his ability to return lingered throughout a challenging summer.
Finally, on Sept. 11, the Maple Leafs officially signed Hakanpaa to a one-year contract, though he began the season on long-term injured reserve and underwent a conditioning stint with the Toronto Marlies before making his return to the NHL in Washington.
“In general, I always thought that (his return) was coming,” Hakanpaa reflected. “You just have to keep working, trust the process. But, sure, there have been some moments during those long hours back at home in Finland where I wondered, ‘Does it ever come?’”
He added, “I feel like there has been that trust in there always, like beneath everything else. It’s just part of the process. It makes you stronger and tougher throughout it. With any injury, once you come out of it, you’re better coming back.”
Morgan Rielly, who endured his own struggles with injury during his draft year in 2011-12, can directly relate to Hakanpaa’s experience. Limited to just 18 games that season, the Leafs ultimately selected him with the fifth overall pick in the 2012 NHL draft. Now, Rielly stands as the longest-serving player on the Maple Leafs roster, having played 809 games and counting.
“I hate to say it, but there’s an element of (the injury) that sticks with you,” Rielly explained. “You work hard and you do everything you need to rehab properly, and put yourself in a position where you’re cleared to play, but it’s an ongoing thing, whether it’s a major injury or minor. It really doesn’t matter,” he continued, affirming his faith in Hakanpaa’s dedication. “He’s worked extremely hard and taken extreme measures to get himself ready to go, and he looks great.”
As for the Oilers’ superstar Connor McDavid, he was somewhat reticent when discussing his past 48 hours. He recently achieved the milestone of becoming the fourth-fastest player in NHL history to reach 1,000 career points during an overtime win against Nashville.
“It’s been just trying to get to Toronto (from Edmonton),” McDavid reflected. “It was a quick turnaround. On the plane early, trying to beat all the Taylor Swift traffic. We managed to do that. It’s cool to see the city,” he shared while preparing for what promises to be an exciting Saturday night hockey experience in front of many friends and family, emphasizing that such moments mean more to him.
tkoshan@postmedia.com
X: @koshtorontosun
What was the most challenging aspect of your recovery from injury before returning to the NHL?
**Interview with Jani Hakanpaa, Defenseman for the Toronto Maple Leafs**
**Editor:** Thank you for joining us today, Jani! Your first game back in the NHL against the Washington Capitals must have felt incredible. Can you describe that moment for us?
**Jani Hakanpaa:** Thank you for having me! It was unreal. Stepping back onto the ice after such a long time away was an amazing feeling. I’ve put in so much hard work, so being able to play again was truly gratifying.
**Editor:** You mentioned it was a long journey to your return. Can you take us through some of the challenges you faced during your recovery process?
**Jani Hakanpaa:** Absolutely. I hadn’t played since March due to a knee injury, which was really tough mentally. There were moments, especially during those solitary hours back in Finland, when I questioned if I’d ever get back to this point. But I always tried to maintain trust in the process and keep working towards my goal.
**Editor:** How does it feel to be paired with a veteran defenseman like Morgan Rielly? What are you looking forward to in this partnership?
**Jani Hakanpaa:** I’m really excited about it! Morgan has a great understanding of the game, and his offensive skills complement my playing style well. I believe we can create a strong tandem on the blue line. It’s all about communication and feeling each other out on the ice.
**Editor:** Coach Craig Berube has formed some interesting defensive pairings this season. How do you feel about the overall balance of the defensemen in the team?
**Jani Hakanpaa:** I think we’re in a great position. Having pairs like Jake McCabe with Chris Tanev and Oliver Ekman-Larsson alongside Connor Timmins gives us a solid structure. It’s beneficial to have three balanced left-right duos; it provides versatility and strengthens our defense.
**Editor:** Looking ahead, what are your goals for the rest of the season with the Maple Leafs?
**Jani Hakanpaa:** My primary goal is to contribute to the team’s success, stay healthy, and continue improving my game. I want to be a reliable presence on the blue line and help us compete for a championship. There’s a lot of talent in this locker room, and I’m eager to play my part.
**Editor:** Thanks for sharing your insights, Jani. We’re excited to see how your season unfolds!
**Jani Hakanpaa:** Thank you! I appreciate the support. Go Leafs!
