The defender Atro Leppänen, who gathered the power of 3+3, made league history and is approaching Pekka Rautakallio’s 46-year-old point record for defensemen in the SM league.
18.1. 19:47•Updated 18.1. 19:52
A defender who scores wild points on Sport’s back lines Atro Leppänen26, played six years ago at the fourth highest league level of Suomi-kieko in Koillis-Pirka Kiekko.
In Saturday’s round, Leppänen collected the points 3+3, when Sport beat KooKoo with goals 6-5 in overtime in Kouvola.
Among the defenders, Tappara has been able to score six points in one league match Pekka Laksola (1+5) and HIFK Pertti Lehtonen (0+6) in 1989 and 1988. Leppänen became the record defender thanks to his three goals.
– Top individuals were needed in order to beat a fit KooKoo, Sport’s coach, today Juuso Hahl said, but did not separately bring up Leppänen’s name at the media event.
Atro Leppänen, who joined the national team, has now totaled 47 (14+33) power points in the 42 matches he has played, while Sport still has 18 regular season games left.
– Now we’re in for a hard time reading, a really cheeky performance! This was one of the toughest defenders’ scrimmages in the SM league and one of the toughest seasons of all time in general, says the expert Top Nättinen.
Without injuries, Leppänen sets a new points record in the SM league. He is only six points away from the record readings.
Pekka Rautakallion (Aces 1978–79) the defenders’ season record is 53 points (25+28).
“Bobby Orr of Mäntän” on his way to the NHL?
On the ice hockey tour, we were amazed at the extraordinary career path of “Bobby Orr from Mänttä”, who played some games in the Suomi series at the age of 22, according to Nättinen.
– And the fact that as a player in Sport you can put such numbers on the table is also something. He played in some kind of regional league when he was 16 years old, and I don’t even know what league it is.
In the 2022–23 season, Atro Leppänen set the goals and points record for Mestis defenders (23+35=58). In total, he played four years for Mest, first in KeuPa and then in Kiekko-Espoo.
– In three years, will we see from him not only Mestis’ record but also Liiga’s points record? Will it be the turn of the SHL defenders’ point record next season, Nättinen ponders.
– And with these prospects, Leppänen will certainly be at least in the national team’s World Cup camp in the spring. His story even suggests an NHL contract, praises Topi Nättinen.
What makes Atro Leppäse an exceptional power pack?
– He is a smooth-moving, strong skater, stays on the puck well and is very eager to shoot. And when you look at his power statistics this season (+10), your head doesn’t even rattle at the expense of points when the powers are off, the expert praises.
All matches on Saturday
Series table
SM league points exchange