Santeri Hatakka Bio
Santeri Hatakka, born on 15 January 2001 in Riihimäki, Finland, is a Finnish professional ice hockey defenceman currently playing for HV71 of the Swedish Hockey League (SHL). Standing 183 cm tall and weighing 83 kg, he skates with a left shot and has built his career around steady defensive play and reliable puck movement. Since making his professional debut in 2019, he has competed in Finland, North America, and Sweden, representing several top organizations in the sport.
Hatakka first entered the professional ranks after being selected in the sixth round of the 2019 NHL Entry Draft, and he has since worn the jerseys of the San Jose Sharks organization, the New Jersey Devils organization, and HV71. In addition to his club commitments, he has represented Finland at multiple junior levels, earning a bronze medal and gaining semifinal experience at the World Junior Ice Hockey Championships.
Early Life and Background
Santeri Hatakka was born on 15 January 2001 in Riihimäki, a city in southern Finland. Growing up in a country where ice hockey is a central part of the sporting culture, he was introduced to the game at a young age and progressed through local youth programs before joining one of the country’s most respected development systems.
Hatakka developed his game in the Jokerit organization, one of the leading junior programs in Finland, known for producing top-level talent. He worked his way up through the age-group teams and earned an alternate captain role with the Jokerit under-20 squad during the 2018–19 season, a sign of his growing leadership and responsibility within the program. His time in the Finnish junior ranks laid the foundation for the disciplined, two-way style that has defined his professional career.
Path to Hockey
Following a strong final season with Jokerit’s under-20 team, Hatakka was selected 184th overall in the sixth round of the 2019 NHL Entry Draft by the San Jose Sharks. The draft selection marked a major milestone in his young career and gave him a clear pathway toward professional hockey in North America.
He transitioned directly into the professional game, making his debut during the 2019–20 season. He split that year between Ilves of the top Finnish Liiga and their farm club Koovee, gaining valuable experience in senior competition. In 28 Liiga appearances, he posted three points, demonstrating that he was ready to take on the physical and tactical demands of professional hockey at the highest Finnish level.
Santeri Hatakka Career
Early Career (2019–2021)
Hatakka’s earliest professional seasons were spent developing in Finland. His 2019–20 campaign with Ilves and Koovee provided him with a steady introduction to the pace and physicality of senior hockey, and he used that year to refine his defensive game while contributing offensively in limited minutes.
His progress drew the attention of the San Jose Sharks, who signed him to a three-year entry-level contract on 12 May 2021. The deal signaled the organization’s belief in his long-term potential and opened the door to North American professional hockey.
San Jose Sharks Era (2021–2023)
Hatakka made his National Hockey League debut on 30 October 2021, appearing in a 2–1 victory over the Winnipeg Jets. Less than two weeks later, on 9 November, he recorded his first NHL point, an assist, in a 4–1 win over the Calgary Flames. Those early appearances established him as a promising depth defenceman within the Sharks system.
The 2022–23 season proved difficult, as Hatakka played only eight games at the American Hockey League level due to a significant upper-body injury early in the year. On 26 February 2023, he was traded to the New Jersey Devils as part of a multi-player deal that also sent Timo Meier to New Jersey, bringing his tenure with the Sharks organization to an end.
New Jersey Devils Era (2023–2025)
After joining the Devils organization, Hatakka continued his development at the AHL level. On 18 January 2024, he was recalled to the parent club as several of the team’s regular defencemen dealt with injuries and illness. He made his Devils debut on 22 January 2024, recording a 6–5 overtime win against the Vegas Golden Knights.
He spent two seasons within the Devils system, contributing primarily at the AHL level while providing emergency depth at the NHL level. Once his contract expired, Hatakka opted to continue his career in Europe.
HV71 Era (2025–Present)
On 29 April 2025, Hatakka signed a two-year contract with HV71 of the Swedish Hockey League, officially beginning the next chapter of his career in Sweden. The move gave him a top-line role in one of Europe’s most competitive leagues and a chance to play a central part in HV71’s defensive group.
The transition to Swedish hockey has allowed Hatakka to play consistent top-level minutes, a key step in his continued growth as a two-way defenceman. His combination of size, skating, and hockey sense has fit well with HV71’s approach to the game.
Playing Style and Strengths
Hatakka is recognized for his calm, positionally sound defensive play and his ability to move the puck efficiently out of his own zone. He reads plays well at both ends of the ice, supports transitions with reliable first passes, and is comfortable logging tough defensive minutes. His left-handed shot, combined with his 183 cm frame, gives him the tools to handle physically demanding matchups in all three zones.
Notable Events and Milestones
Among the most memorable moments of his career are his NHL debut with the San Jose Sharks in October 2021, his first NHL point against the Calgary Flames, and his New Jersey Devils debut in a high-scoring overtime win over the Vegas Golden Knights in January 2024. His trade to New Jersey as part of the Timo Meier deal also marked a significant turning point in his professional journey.
Santeri Hatakka Career Wins
Santeri Hatakka’s career has been defined more by steady development and durability than by major championship hardware. While he has not captured a major senior league title, his progression through the NHL draft, the Liiga, the AHL, the NHL, and the SHL reflects consistent advancement at every level.
International Highlights
Hatakka has represented Finland at the under-16, under-17, under-18, and under-20 levels. He appeared in two World Junior Ice Hockey Championships, reaching the semifinals in both 2020 and 2021. During the 2021 tournament, he served as an alternate captain and won a bronze medal. Across his two World Junior appearances, he recorded three points in 14 games.
Other Performances
In his early professional career, Hatakka posted three points in 28 Liiga games during the 2019–20 season with Ilves. He also contributed at the AHL level with the San Jose Barracuda and the Utica Comets, establishing himself as a dependable depth defenceman in North America before moving to Sweden.
Santeri Hatakka Family
Family Background and Hockey Lineage
Santeri Hatakka comes from an athletic Finnish family. His older sister, Sanni Franssi, is a professional footballer, and her career reflects the strong sporting environment in which Santeri grew up.
Personal Life
Hatakka maintains a private personal life, with limited public details about his relationships outside of hockey. His focus has remained on his development as a professional defenceman, and he currently continues his career with HV71 in Sweden.
2025 Season Performance
Hatakka’s 2025 season centers on his first full year with HV71 of the Swedish Hockey League, following his 29 April 2025 signing. The two-year contract gives him a stable platform to play significant minutes in one of Europe’s top leagues and to grow within a fresh organizational system.
Early in the campaign, he is expected to log key minutes on the blue line, providing defensive stability and contributing to the team’s transition game. His experience across the NHL, AHL, and Liiga gives HV71 a versatile two-way defenceman capable of playing in all situations.
Looking ahead, the 2025 season offers Hatakka the chance to further establish himself as a top-level European defenceman. With a multi-year commitment in Sweden, the focus will be on consistent performance, continued growth in his offensive game, and building toward an even larger role with HV71 in the seasons to follow.