Golden Knights Prospect Faces Early Retirement Due to Ongoing COVID Complications
Mikael Hakkarainen is not necessarily a household name. Drafted by the Chicago Blackhawks in 2018 in the 5th round, Hakkarainen really struggled to acclimate to professional North American hockey. Appearing in just 14 AHL and 9 ECHL games, the Finnish center simply never gained any traction.
His biggest news day during his pro career was when he was traded to the Vegas Golden Knights in exchange for G Marc-Andre Fleury. Yes, THAT trade. Vegas never had any intention of utilizing Hakkarainen, who soon after left North America to play in Europe; one season in Finland and one in Sweden, where his career would end prematurely, citing ongoing complications from COVID-19, according to Finnish reporter Juha Oinonen of Jatkoaika.
It means that I have a higher risk of having a heart attack on the field - especially when there are contact situations. It would have been hard to play and I would have gotten a place, but you can't play with your health."
This harrowing series of events ends Hakkarainen's career at age 24. The Finn is currently taking it easy, weighing his options, but he has maintained he wishes to remain involved in the game somehow. Oinonen writes that Hakkarainen provided a longer interview in which he provides more details on his condition and future, which will be published at a later date. For now, we can just send out positive vibes over to Mikael and his loved ones.
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YESTERDAY
APRIL 30, 2026
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| G | A | PTS | ||
| Quinn Hughes | 2 | 1 | 3 | |
| Leo Carlsson | 1 | 2 | 3 | |
| Chris Kreider | 1 | 2 | 3 | |
| Troy Terry | 1 | 2 | 3 | |
| Matthew Boldy | 2 | - | 2 | |
| Cutter Gauthier | 1 | 1 | 2 | |
| Mavrik Bourque | 1 | - | 1 | |
| Wyatt Johnston | 1 | - | 1 | |
| Connor Murphy | 1 | - | 1 | |
| Vasily Podkolzin | 1 | - | 1 | |
| Ryan Poehling | 1 | - | 1 | |
| Vladimir Tarasenko | 1 | - | 1 | |
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| Colton Dach | - | 1 | 1 | |
| Leon Draisaitl | - | 1 | 1 | |
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