Patrik Virta

Patrik Virta (born 6 March 1996) is a Finnish professional ice hockey forward who is currently playing under contract with Tappara in the Finnish Liiga. Virta was selected by the New York Rangers in the 2017 NHL Entry Draft.

Patrik Virta
Born (1996-03-06) 6 March 1996
Hämeenlinna, Finland
Height 5 ft 10 in (178 cm)
Weight 181 lb (82 kg; 12 st 13 lb)
Position Forward
Shoots Right
Liiga team
Former teams		 Tappara
HPK
TPS
HC Slovan Bratislava
Örebro HK
NHL Draft 208th overall, 2017
New York Rangers
Playing career 2014–present

Playing career

Virta made his professional debut in his native Finland, appearing in the Liiga playing with his original youth club, HPK during the 2014–15 season.[1]

Following a break out 2016–17 season with TPS, scoring 14 goals and 26 points in 49 contests, Virta was selected as an overage prospect by the New York Rangers in the seventh round, 208th overall, in the 2017 NHL Entry Draft on 26 June 2017.[2] He continued his development in the 2017–18 season, matching his 14 goals scores while improving his offensive output to 40 points in 58 games.

Without a contract offer from the Rangers, Virta opted leave the Liiga and continue his development in the KHL, securing a one-year contact with Slovak club, HC Slovan Bratislava, on 17 July 2018.[3] Virta later reached a mutual contract termination with Slovan and signed with Örebro HK in the Swedish Hockey League.[4] In joining Örebro during the 2018-19 season, Virta immediately adjusted within the team, scoring 7 goals and 15 points in 37 games.

On 19 June 2019, Virta returned to the Liiga as a free agent, agreeing to a two-year contract with Tappara.[5]

Career statistics
Regular season Playoffs
Season Team League GP G A Pts PIM GP G A Pts PIM
2013–14 HPK Jr. A 32 15 14 29 8 3 0 0 0 2
2014–15 HPK Jr. A 43 29 46 75 55 12 10 5 15 10
2014–15 HPK Liiga 5 2 0 2 2 — — — — —
2015–16 TPS Jr. A 2 0 1 1 2 — — — — —
2015–16 TPS Liiga 33 2 2 4 8 1 0 0 0 0
2015–16 TUTO Hockey Mestis 4 1 1 2 4 — — — — —
2015–16 SaPKo Mestis 7 2 2 4 2 5 2 2 4 0
2016–17 TPS Liiga 49 14 12 26 22 6 5 1 6 4
2017–18 TPS Liiga 58 14 26 40 24 8 2 1 3 0
2018–19 Slovan Bratislava KHL 21 2 7 9 6 — — — — —
2018–19 Örebro HK SHL 37 7 8 15 10 2 1 0 1 0
2019–20 Tappara Liiga 42 13 10 23 20 — — — — —
Liiga totals 187 45 50 95 76 15 7 2 9 4

References
  1. "Patrik Virta player profile". jatkoaika.com (in Finnish). 7 June 2015. Retrieved 7 June 2015.
  2. "Rangers select Patrik Virta with 207th overall pick". blueshirtbanter.com. 26 June 2017. Retrieved 26 June 2017.
  3. "Slovan sign Finnish talent Patrik Virta". HC Slovan Bratislava. 17 July 2018. Retrieved 17 July 2018.
  4. "Patrik Virta ready for Orebro from KHL". naaju.com. 7 November 2018. Retrieved 7 November 2018.
  5. "Virta and Garteig sign in Tappara". Tappara (in Finnish). 19 June 2019. Retrieved 19 June 2019.
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