Maple Leafs’ Jani Hakanpaa Breaks Silence On Career-Threatening Injury.
After initially joining the Toronto Maple Leafs in July but delaying the signing of his contract until early September, Jani Hakanpaa finally broke the silence on the reason behind that delay and his career outlook. The defenseman addressed the concerns surrounding his lingering knee injury speaking to the media during the Leafs’ annual golf tournament, as reported by Luke Fox of Sportsnet on September 16. “Just a little knee issue that we got to manage throughout the year
here,” Hakanpaa said regarding the injury that put his contract with the Leasf in the air. “There’s good days, bad days, but I think that underlying trust that it’s going to happen eventually has always been there,” Hakanpaa said. “It’s more about learning what’s good and what’s bad for it, and sticking with the good stuff.” Although Hakanpaa will need to consult with the Leafs’ training staff before he’s cleared to take the ice, he remains optimistic about his ability to help the team. “In my mind, it’s been clear that I’m going to get back,” Hakanpaa said. “And the team I had around me back home in Finland had the same thoughts. “I think that was the biggest key–to have people around me that that trusted as well,” Hakanpää said. Hakanpaa, who earned a reputation as an elite shutdown defender during his time with the Dallas Stars, will add physicality and defensive
chops to the Maple Leafs under new head coach Craig Berube. The blueliner hopes to replicate in Toronto the success he enjoyed in Dallas, and he’s convinced his skill set can help the Leafs going forward. “I bring a lot of good physicality and some good, solid defense play and some penalty killing specialties with me,” Hankapaa said. “It’s something I take a lot of pride in, and it’s for sure going to help the team as well.” Hakanpaa is itching to get back on the ice, telling reporters he’s
“getting close” and adding he only needs to make a final push in his recovery before getting back inside a rink. “Now it’s just about putting the finishing touches on it and getting back out there,” Hakanpaa said.