Former QMJHL star and hockey trailblazer tragically passes away from a brutal crime at 29
Janne Puhakka has tragically passed away at the age of 29, due to a brutal crime. The hockey trailblazer formerly played in the QMJHL with the Chicoutimi Saguenéens.
Janne Puhakka never played in the NHL, despite having two great seasons in the QMJHL, and playing at the world juniors for Team Finland. He, however, made a major impact on the sport, being the first openly gay player to ever skate in the top Finnish league, LIIGA, where many former NHL stars have played.
There is, up to now, no openly gay player who has ever played in the NHL, although 6 foot 6 Nashville Predators top prospect Luke Prokop is well on his way after being selected in the third round in 2020.
Tragically, Janne Puhakka has had his life taken away from him at the young age of 29, reportedly at the hands of his partner, Rolf Nordmo, a 66 year old veterinarian.
Matti Högman, the detective leading the investigation, made these comments (translated to English):
According to IS information, the (crime) took place on Sunday evening at the property where ex-hockey player Janne Puhakka , 29, and his partner, Norwegian veterinarian Rolf Nordmo , 66, live. [...] The police will not confirm the identities of the parties involved.
ALTHOUGH it's only been less than a day [...] the police have a good idea of the course of events.
- We have a reasonably good understanding of what has happened, crime commissioner, head of investigation Matti Högman tells Ilta-Sanom.
- But, of course, we only suspect and the investigation is in the early stages, Högman says.
The police suspect that the act was particularly brutal and cruel. In addition, the police suspect that there was sound judgment in the act.
- We suspect sound judgment and a particularly raw and cruel way of doing things, Högman tells Ilta-Sanom.
We hope that Janne Puhakka's friends and family will see justice. Rest in peace to a true hockey trailblazer.
