Jyrki Lumme
Finnish defenceman who became Vancouver's all-time scoring blueliner.
Jyrki Olavi Lumme (born July 16, 1966) is a Finnish former professional ice hockey defenceman who played in the NHL and SM-liiga. He started his pro career with Ilves Tampere in Finland, spending three seasons there before heading to North America in 1988 to join the Montreal Canadiens, who had drafted him 57th overall in 1986. In his second NHL season, Montreal traded him to the Vancouver Canucks. Lumme spent most of his career and found his greatest success in Vancouver. Over nine seasons with the Canucks, he was named the team’s top defenceman four times, became the franchise’s all-time leader in goals and points for a defenceman, and was part of the squad that reached the 1994 Stanley Cup Final. Later in his NHL career, he played for the Phoenix Coyotes, Dallas Stars, and Toronto Maple Leafs over five seasons. After a two-year break from playing, Lumme returned to Ilves Tampere in the SM-liiga in 2005. He played two final seasons in Finland before retiring, at which point he became a part-owner of Ilves Tampere.
Lumme began his professional career with Ilves Tampere in 1985–86. After his rookie season, the Montreal Canadiens picked him in the third round of the 1986 NHL entry draft. He stayed with Ilves for two more years. In his last season before moving to the NHL, he scored 8 goals and 30 points in 43 games, helping Ilves finish with the best regular-season record in the league. In August 1988, he signed a two-year contract with Montreal. During the 1988–89 season, he split time between the Canadiens and their AHL affiliate, the Sherbrooke Canadiens, becoming the first Finnish player to suit up for Montreal. On December 5, 1988, he injured his knee in a game against the Detroit Red Wings, which kept him out for a while. He finished that season with 15 points in 26 AHL games and 4 points in 21 NHL games. The next season, he earned a full-time spot on the Canadiens’ roster. After scoring 20 points in 54 games with Montreal, the Canadiens traded him to the Vancouver Canucks on March 6, 1990, in exchange for a second-round draft pick. Lumme later said he didn’t fit the Canadiens’ style and expected to be dealt.
Lumme fit in well in Vancouver, quickly becoming the Canucks’ top offensive defenceman. He was paired with Paul Reinhart right after the trade and put up 10 points in 11 games to close the regular season.
Quick Facts
- Played For
- Ilves / Toronto Maple Leafs / Dallas Stars / Phoenix Coyotes / Vancouver Canucks / Montreal Canadiens
- League
- NHL
- Position
- Defence
- Shoots
- Left
- Height Ft
- 6
- Height In
- 1
- Weight Lb
- 205
- Ntl Team
- Finland
- Birth Date
- 1966-07-16
- Birth Place
- Tampere, Finland
- Draft
- 57th overall
- Draft Year
- 1986
Facts from the source article.
Lore & Background
Lumme began his professional career with Ilves Tampere in the SM-liiga in 1985–86. After being drafted by the Montreal Canadiens in 1986, he remained in Finland for two more seasons before signing with Montreal in 1988. He became the first Finnish player to compete for the Canadiens. In his second NHL season, he was traded to the Vancouver Canucks, where he quickly established himself as the team's top offensive defenceman. Over nine seasons with Vancouver, he won the Babe Pratt Trophy as the club's best defenceman four times and set franchise records for goals and points by a defenceman. He was part of the Canucks' run to the 1994 Stanley Cup Final, where they lost to the New York Rangers in seven games. Later in his NHL career, Lumme played for the Phoenix Coyotes, Dallas Stars, and Toronto Maple Leafs. His time in Dallas was brief and marked by a clash with coach Ken Hitchcock; he was traded to Toronto after 15 games. After a two-year hiatus, he returned to play for Ilves Tampere before retiring and becoming a part-owner of the club.
Reader's Guide
Jyrki Lumme's significance lies in his role as a pioneering Finnish defenceman in the NHL and his lasting impact on the Vancouver Canucks franchise. He was the first Finnish player to suit up for the Montreal Canadiens and later became the Canucks' all-time leading scorer among defencemen, a record he held until surpassed by Mattias Öhlund. His smooth skating and accurate wrist shot made him a consistent offensive threat from the blue line, and he posted four 40-point seasons in Vancouver, including a career-high 55 points in 1993–94. Despite playing in a market with less media exposure, he was regarded by analysts as a highly effective player. His contributions helped the Canucks reach the 1994 Stanley Cup Final, and he was recognized internally with four Babe Pratt Trophies. After his playing career, Lumme remained involved in hockey as a part-owner of Ilves Tampere and through charitable work with the NHL Players Association Goals and Dreams Program.
Did You Know?
- Lumme was the first Finnish player to play for the Montreal Canadiens.
- He won the Babe Pratt Trophy as Vancouver's top defenceman four times.
- He left the Dallas Stars after 15 games due to a clash with coach Ken Hitchcock.
- After retiring, he became a part-owner of his former Finnish club, Ilves Tampere.
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