Former professional hockey player Janne Puhakka, was shot and killed on Sunday in his Henttaa Espoo, Finland home. It was reported by Finnish media that police have reason to believe this was a homicide, and the suspected killer is Puhakka's partner/roommate, 66-year-old Norwegian veterinarian Rolf Nordmo.
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Rest in Peace Janne Puhakka (1995-2024), the first openly gay ice hockey player in the Finnish Elite League (Liiga) ❤️🩹
According to the Finnish police his own partner shot Janne in their home on Sunday.
My heart's so heavy, my condolences to his family and friends 🫂 pic.twitter.com/Zdz8DeOGwK
— ilya (@kotikappa) October 14, 2024
That is to say, the murder is still under investigation, but Nordmo was arrested at the scene (per TMZ).
In view of Puhakka's professional career, he first made his major league debut in 2015 for the Espoo Blues and Espoo United, before ending his career with Rapaces de Gap in 2018.
Furthermore, he was also on the Finland national team roster and had won a bronze medal in the Under 18 World Championships (2013).
After retirement Puhakka revealed his sexuality, making him the first openly gay player to play professional hockey in Finland.
In 2022, he wrote a memoir highlighting his journey, "Ulos Kopista."
I told people my boyfriend was my uncle — I was ashamed of our 37-year age gap [2022] https://t.co/SHNPKdvx9V
Rolf Nordmo on Janne Puhakan epäilty tappaja
https://t.co/0FrlQGjtRS pic.twitter.com/q1oHN2luDf— ¡Hitheretthither! (@Illustrate_it) October 14, 2024
The Les Rapaces de Gap team put out a tribute statement for Puhakka.
"We send our sincere condolences to his family, his relatives and all his former teammates. Presenting in the team during the 2017/2018 season, Janne marked the staff and his teammates with his kindness and team spirit."
