Huttula, the first of five Wednesday signings
Steelers Add Experienced Huttula to the Blue Line
Aaron Fox has added experienced Finnish defenseman Joona Huttula to the Steelers blue line.
Huttula joins the Steelers following two seasons in Czechia with HC Energie Karlovy Vary. Prior to that Joona had spent his professional career in Finland predominantly with Karpat where he played 120 of his 172 liiga games.
The Steelers Finnish connection also played a part in the move with speedy forward Mikko Juusola adding his weight in persuading Huttula to sign “Mikko and I are best friends, we train together in the summer and he has been onto me to join, telling me everything about the team, the club, the City and most of all the fans. So I had a really good conversation with Aaron and liked what he said, it got me excited and I guess that’s how the deal was done
“With everything I hear about Sheffield both on and off the ice I think it is both a full package and the right package for me, I can’t wait to arrive”
Asked about his playing style Joona replied “I would like to think I am good all around, no real weakness. People will tell you my strength is my skating, I take care of my defensive duties but I do like to join the rush. I have a long stride and it helps me get up and down the ice
“I think the coaches, my team mates and the fans will see that I give my all, everything I have, I love to compete”Head coach Aaron Fox commented “Super excited we were able to get Joona in here.
“He’s a guy that plays an aggressive, physical game and will fit our systems extremely well.
“Joona defends extremely hard and also is an outstanding PK guy who will eat pucks and plays winning hockey.
“I believe with how well he skates that he will also chip in offensively for us and he gives us an extremely solid D core that will match up with any line in the league”.