Born on August 22, 1994, Olli Määttä is a Finnish professional ice hockey defenseman currently playing for the Detroit Red Wings in the National Hockey League (NHL). He was selected in the first round, 22nd overall, by the Pittsburgh Penguins in the 2012 NHL Entry Draft. Throughout his career, Määttä has also had stints with the Chicago Blackhawks and Los Angeles Kings.
Määttä made his mark early, being the first overall pick in the 2011 Canadian Hockey League Import Draft. He represented the Finnish junior team at the 2011 IIHF World U18 Championships and the 2011, 2012, and 2013 World Junior Ice Hockey Championships. Renowned for his shot-blocking prowess and hockey intelligence, Määttä earned a spot on Finland's roster for the 2014 Winter Olympics at just 19 years.
Around the same time, his solid performance during the Penguins’ training camp and unfortunate injury to Kris Letang paved the way for Määttä to make his NHL debut. His rookie season was marked by pivotal contributions at crucial junctures. Moreover his greatest moment with the Penguins came during the 2015-16 and 2016-17 seasons, when he was a part of the Stanley Cup winning team. The subsequent seasons have seen Määttä represent different teams, including the Chicago Blackhawks, Los Angeles Kings and lastly his current team, the Detroit Red Wings.
Olli Määttä Stanley Cup Wins/ Stanley Cup Rings History-
Olli Määttä played a crucial role in securing back-to-back Stanley Cup victories with the Pittsburgh Penguins in 2016 and 2017.
In the 2016 Stanley Cup Playoffs, Määttä faced adversity when Brooks Orpik delivered an illegal and late hit to his head during Game Two against the Washington Capitals. Despite the setback, Määttä returned after a few games and played a key part in the Penguins' journey to winning the Stanley Cup that year.
The 2017 Stanley Cup Playoffs showcased Määttä's consistent performance and valuable contributions. Playing in all 25 games, he scored two goals, provided six assists, and achieved an impressive +8 +/- rating. Määttä's eight points in the playoffs ranked eighth on the team, highlighting his impact on both ends of the ice. Notably, during the Eastern Conference Finals against Ottawa, Määttä scored the team's opening goals in back-to-back games (Games 4 & 5). His goal in Game 4, with 46 seconds left in the first period, gave the Penguins a crucial 1-0 lead.
In the 2017 Stanley Cup Final against the Nashville Predators, Määttä continued to shine. In Game 1, he logged the second-most time on ice among all Penguins, showcasing his defensive prowess with three hits, leading all defensemen.
How many Stanley Cups has Olli Määttä won?
Olli Määttä has won two Stanley Cups with the Pittsburgh Penguins, in the years 2016 and 2017. His resilience and contributions during these playoff runs became integral to the team's success.
Here’s a table summarizing Olli Määttä’s Stanley Cup wins:
Years | Team | Opponent |
2016 | Pittsburgh Penguins | San Jose Sharks |
2017 | Pittsburgh Penguins | Nashville Predators |
FAQ's On Olli Määttä Stanley Cup Wins/ Stanley Cup Rings
A. Olli Määttä won his first Stanley Cup in 2016 with the Pittsburgh Penguins.
A. Olli Määttä has won two Stanley Cups with the Pittsburgh Penguins, securing victories in 2016 and 2017.
A. In the 2017 Stanley Cup Final, the Pittsburgh Penguins faced the Nashville Predators when Olli Määttä secured his second Cup.
A. During Game Two of the 2016 Stanley Cup Playoffs against the Washington Capitals, Brooks Orpik delivered an illegal and late hit to Olli Määttä's head, leading to a suspension.
A. In Game 5 of the 2017 Stanley Cup Final against the Nashville Predators, Olli Määttä with the team-leading 3-0, assisted on Phil Kessel's second-period goal, contributing to the Penguins' 5-0 lead.