Jere Innala (born 17 March 1998) is a Finnish professional ice hockey player for Frölunda HC in the Swedish Hockey League (SHL) and the Finnish national team.[1]
| Jere Innala | |||
|---|---|---|---|
_by_Sandro_Halank–040.jpg) | |||
| Born |
17 March 1998 Hämeenlinna, Finland | ||
| Height | 5 ft 9 in (175 cm) | ||
| Weight | 183 lb (83 kg; 13 st 1 lb) | ||
| Position | Left wing | ||
| Shoots | Left | ||
| SHL team Former teams |
Frölunda HC HPK HIFK Colorado Avalanche | ||
| National team |
 Finland | ||
| NHL draft | Undrafted | ||
| Playing career | 2017–present | ||
Playing career
editOn 7 May 2022, Innala left the Finnish Liiga after six seasons between HPK and HIFK to join Swedish club, Frölunda HC of the Swedish Hockey League (SHL), on a two-year contract.[2]
In the 2022–23 season, Innala made an immediate impact with the Indians, contributing offensively with 10 goals and 26 points through 52 regular-season games. In helping Frölunda return to the playoffs, Innala collected 5 points through 10 postseason games.
Returning for his second year with Frölunda in 2023–24, Innala initially increased his scoring pace, collecting 8 points through the first 8 games before suffering an injury. He was re-signed to an improved two-year contract extension on 9 November 2023, and in returning to the lineup, posted 16 goals and 28 points through 42 regular-season games.[3] In 14 playoff games, Innala added 15 points to lead the SHL skaters in goals and points before the Indians fell in Game 7 of the SHL semifinals to eventual champions Skellefteå AIK.
On 13 June 2024, Innala activated an NHL out-clause in his contract with Frölunda HC, after securing his first contract in North America by signing a one-year, entry-level contract with the Colorado Avalanche.[4] After attending his first training camp in North America, Innala was reassigned by the Avalanche to begin the 2024–25 season with AHL affiliate, the Colorado Eagles. Innala was later recalled and made his NHL debut on December 21, during Colorado's 4–2 win over the Anaheim Ducks.[5] Throughout the season, Innala in a limited fourth-line role went scoreless through 17 games with the Avalanche.
On 5 June 2025, as a pending restricted free agent with the Avalanche, Innala opted to resume his European career by agreeing to return to his former club, Frölunda HC of the SHL, on a one-year deal.[6]
International play
edit| Medal record | ||
|---|---|---|
| Representing Finland | ||
| Ice hockey | ||
| World Championships | ||
 | 2022 Finland | |
 | 2021 Latvia | |
Innala represented Finland at the 2021, 2022 and 2024 IIHF World Championship.[7][8]
Career statistics
editRegular season and playoffs
edit| Regular season | Playoffs | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Season | Team | League | GP | G | A | Pts | PIM | GP | G | A | Pts | PIM | ||
| 2015–16 | HPK | Jr. A | 40 | 18 | 17 | 35 | 20 | 7 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 4 | ||
| 2016–17 | HPK | Jr. A | 32 | 17 | 14 | 31 | 24 | 9 | 3 | 2 | 5 | 4 | ||
| 2016–17 | HPK | Liiga | 29 | 3 | 2 | 5 | 4 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | ||
| 2016–17 | LeKi | Mestis | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 2017–18 | HPK | Liiga | 48 | 4 | 7 | 11 | 6 | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 2017–18 | LeKi | Mestis | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 2017–18 | HPK | Jr. A | — | — | — | — | — | 5 | 0 | 3 | 3 | 0 | ||
| 2018–19 | HPK | Liiga | 60 | 24 | 21 | 45 | 16 | 18 | 2 | 9 | 11 | 4 | ||
| 2019–20 | HPK | Liiga | 57 | 17 | 18 | 35 | 14 | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 2020–21 | HPK | Liiga | 42 | 20 | 17 | 37 | 42 | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 2021–22 | HIFK | Liiga | 54 | 18 | 30 | 48 | 30 | 6 | 3 | 5 | 8 | 2 | ||
| 2022–23 | Frölunda HC | SHL | 52 | 10 | 16 | 26 | 14 | 10 | 2 | 3 | 5 | 0 | ||
| 2023–24 | Frölunda HC | SHL | 42 | 16 | 12 | 28 | 14 | 14 | 11 | 4 | 15 | 8 | ||
| 2024–25 | Colorado Eagles | AHL | 43 | 17 | 11 | 28 | 14 | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 2024–25 | Colorado Avalanche | NHL | 17 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 2025–26 | Frölunda HC | SHL | 48 | 22 | 18 | 40 | 16 | 6 | 2 | 1 | 3 | 6 | ||
| Liiga totals | 290 | 86 | 95 | 181 | 112 | 25 | 5 | 14 | 19 | 6 | ||||
| SHL totals | 142 | 48 | 46 | 94 | 44 | 30 | 15 | 8 | 23 | 14 | ||||
| NHL totals | 17 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | — | — | — | — | — | ||||
International
edit
References
edit- ↑ "Leijonien MM-joukkue valittu – MM-kisat alkavat ensi perjantaina" (in Finnish). leijonat.fi. 15 May 2021.
- ↑ "Innala from Finland signs with Frolunda" (in Swedish). Frölunda HC. 7 May 2022. Retrieved 7 May 2022.
- ↑ "Yay, Jere stops!" (in Swedish). Frölunda HC. 9 November 2023. Retrieved 9 November 2023.
- ↑ "Avalanche sign Innala". Colorado Avalanche. 13 June 2024. Retrieved 13 June 2024.
- ↑ Curtis, Bailey (December 21, 2024). "Avalanche Prospect Makes NHL Debut in Mighty Win Against the Ducks". The Hockey News. Sports Illustrated. Retrieved December 23, 2024.
- ↑ "Jere, oh my!" (in Swedish). Frölunda HC. 5 June 2025. Retrieved 5 June 2025.
- ↑ "Team Roster Finland" (PDF). iihf.com. 15 August 2021.
- ↑ "Player Statistics Finland" (PDF). iihf.com. 15 August 2021.
External links
edit- Biographical information and career statistics from Eliteprospects.com, or Eurohockey.com, or The Internet Hockey Database