Leafs' Jani Hakanpaa opens up about 'roller-coaster' recovery from career-ending knee injury

By ARJUN B

Modified Sep 17, 2024 04:28 GMT

Defenseman Jani Hakanpaa signed a one-year, $1.47 million contract with the Toronto Maple Leafs last week. He is looking to make his return after recovering from a major knee injury last season.

Hakanpaa suffered the injury while playing for the Dallas Stars and underwent surgery on his knee, which was initially thought could be career-ending. However, after months of arduous rehab, Hakanpaa is confident he can contribute to the Leafs' blue line this season.

Speaking at the Leafs' annual golf tournament, Hakanpaa discussed his road to recovery and the timeline of his return.

"Hopefully, as fast as possible. You’re itching. You’re itching at this time. We put a lot of work into all of that, so we’re getting close, but now just put the finishing touches on it and get back out there," Hakanpaa said.

Last season with Dallas prior to his injury, Hakanpaa tallied two goals and 12 points over 64 games. He missed the playoffs due to the injury.

Having the right people around him during rehab kept Hakanpaa confident he could make a full recovery.

"In my mind, It’s been clear that I’m going to get back and the team I had around me back home in Finland had the same thoughts," Hakanpaa said. "That was the biggest key just to have people around me that trusted as well. And then obviously it’s a little bit of a rollercoaster almost."

While there were ups and downs throughout the rehab process, Hakanpaa said his self-belief never wavered.

Maple Leafs GM Brad Treliving talks about Jani Hakanpaa

Brad Treliving mentioned that the Maple Leafs thoroughly checked on Hakanpaa's knee recovery status before agreeing to sign him up.

The team's performance staff traveled multiple times to evaluate Hakanpaa's rehab process.

"We're obviously to a point where he and us feel confident. And we'll see how it goes," Treliving said last week to reporters at Leafs development camp.

Treliving acknowledged there is always some risk with a player coming off injury. However, Hakanpaa has put in a lot of work on his recovery since having knee surgery in March. The Leafs will now work with him daily to continue his progress.

Treliving said the team is eager to get its hands on Jani Hakanpaa and see how he develops as he gets fully integrated with the Maple Leafs.