Over 600 league matches veteran has ended his playing career - this is the next step

Experienced Liiga forward Roope Talaja, 38, has decided to end his playing career. Talaja’s retirement decision is announced by his latest team, Porin Ässät, on their social media channels.

Talaja represented Ässät for the last four seasons. In the current season, he played 26 regular season games with a score of 5+3. In the playoffs, the veteran was in great form, scoring 7 points (1+7) in seven games.

During his Liiga career, Talaja played a total of 615 regular season games (141+111=252) and 68 playoff games (17+7=24). In addition to Ässät, he represented HIFK, Blues, and Sport. In his best season, Talaja scored 37 points while playing for Sport.

Talaja also played two seasons with Jokerit in the KHL and one season in Sweden’s Allsvenskan with IF Björklöven.

– Hockey has been a big part of my life for as long as I can remember, and for the last 17 years, I have been able to play it professionally. This has been a wonderful chapter in my life, and when I look back on the whole journey, I feel I have succeeded in the most important thing – I have enjoyed the journey, Talaja says in connection with Ässät’s publication.

– Now feels like the right time to move on. I am grateful that I get to end my playing career on my own terms, healthy and in a place that has a special meaning for me and my family.

Talaja also revealed his next step after ending his playing career.

– In the fall, I will start studying to become a construction engineer at SAMK. It feels good to start building a new everyday life and move towards the next phase of my life.