Canadian-Croatian ice hockey star Michael Vukojević signs with the Lahti Pelicans
- by croatiaweek
- in Sport
Michael Vukojević (Photo: PR/Supplied)
Croatian-Canadian ice hockey star Michael Vukojević has signed a 1+1-year contract with the Lahti Pelicans of the SM-liiga, the top professional league in Finland.
“I’m really excited to continue my pro career in Finland,” said Vukojević. “I’ve heard so many great things about the coaching staff and players. I know the fans in Lahti take great pride in the Pelicans, so I’m coming there to provide for the organization and help them with some unfinished business from last season.”
A highly touted youth prospect from Oakville, Ontario, the 23-year-old Vukojević was drafted by the New Jersey Devils in the third round (82nd overall) of the 2019 NHL Entry Draft. He signed his first professional contract ahead of the 2021-2022 season and played for the organization’s American Hockey League (AHL) affiliate until parting ways with the team at the end of the 2023-2024 season.
Prior to being drafted into the NHL, the 6’3”, 212-pound defenseman played three seasons for the Kitchener Rangers in Canada’s Ontario Hockey League.
Vukojević also played for the U18 Canadian National Team, where he competed in the IIHF U18 World Championship, finishing in 4th place. Before that, he competed at the Hlinka Gretzky Cup, where Team Canada won Gold.
Vukojević is among an impressive list of hockey players with Croatian heritage who have gone on to play professionally.
Among those are Joe Sakic, Marc-Édouard Vlasic, Alex Vlasic, Mike Glumac, Frank and Peter Mahovlich, Joel Prpic, Alan Letang, and Mark Pavelich.
Vukojević’s father, Miro, is from Slavonski Brod in Croatia, and his mother, Ana, has family from Ljubuški. Their families emigrated in the 60s and 70s to Toronto.
