Jarmo Wasama
Jarmo Sakari Wasama (December 2, 1943 in Elimäki, Finland – February 2, 1966 in Tampere, Finland) was an ice hockey player who played in the SM-liiga. He played for Ilves. He was inducted into the Finnish Hockey Hall of Fame in 1985. Wasama won two championships (one after death), one silver and two bronzes. He was elected to all-star team 5 times (one after death).
| Jarmo Wasama | |||
|---|---|---|---|
 | |||
| Born |
December 2, 1943 Elimäki, Finland | ||
| Died |
February 2, 1966 (aged 22) Tampere, Finland | ||
| Height | 6 ft 1 in (185 cm) | ||
| Weight | 184 lb (83 kg; 13 st 2 lb) | ||
| Position | Defence | ||
| Shot | Left | ||
| Played for |
SM-liiga Ilves | ||
| National team |
 | ||
| Playing career | 1960–1966 | ||
Wasama possessed good skills for a defenseman in Finland and it is much speculated would Wasama have been the first Finnish player in the NHL. He competed in the men's tournament at the 1964 Winter Olympics.[1]
In February 1966, Wasama lost his life in an automobile accident that resulted from foggy weather conditions. While on his way home from practice, Wasama's car struck a tractor which had stalled on the road. Wasama's car also had a passenger, his father, who did suffer some injuries but survived the accident. Wasama's father, Matti was also a former Ilves-player.
Wasama's jersey number 2 was immediately retired from use by Ilves.
The trophy which is handed out to the best "rookie" player in SM-liiga is named as Jarmo Wasama memorial trophy in honour of Wasama.
International play
Despite his young age by the time of his death Wasama had already played 74 times for national team including 3 World Championship tournaments and 1 Olympics.
The list included the 1965 World Championship tournament which was the first one held in Finland
International statistics
| Year | Team | Event | GP | G | A | Pts | PIM | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1962 | Finland | WCh | 7 | 0 | 3 | 3 | 0 | |
| 1963 | Finland | WCh | 7 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 4 | |
| 1964 | Finland | Oly | 8 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 6 | |
| 1965 | Finland | WCh | 7 | 3 | 1 | 4 | 2 | |
| Senior International Totals | 73 | 7 | 12 | 19 | 12 | |||
Career statistics
| Regular Season | Playoffs | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Season | Team | League | GP | G | A | Pts | PIM | GP | G | A | Pts | PIM | ||
| 1960-61 | Ilves | SM-liiga | 18 | 4 | 2 | 6 | 28 | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | ||
| 1961-62 | Ilves | SM-liiga | 18 | 3 | 4 | 7 | 18 | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | ||
| 1962-63 | Ilves | SM-liiga | 18 | 9 | 5 | 14 | 16 | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | ||
| 1963-64 | Ilves | SM-liiga | 18 | 4 | 4 | 8 | 4 | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | ||
| 1964-65 | Ilves | SM-liiga | 18 | 3 | 4 | 7 | 7 | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | ||
| 1965-66 | Ilves | SM-liiga | 16 | 4 | 3 | 7 | 14 | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | ||
| SM-liiga Totals | 106 | 27 | 22 | 49 | 87 | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | ||||
References
- Evans, Hilary; Gjerde, Arild; Heijmans, Jeroen; Mallon, Bill; et al. "Jarmo Wasama Olympic Results". Olympics at Sports-Reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. Archived from the original on 17 April 2020. Retrieved 16 May 2019.