Santeri Hatakka

Santeri Hatakka (born 15 January 2001) is a Finnish professional ice hockey defenceman for the Utica Comets of the American Hockey League (AHL) as a prospect to the New Jersey Devils of the National Hockey League (NHL).

Playing career
Hatakka played his junior career in the Jokerit system, and was an alternate captain for their under-20 team in the 2018–19 season. Following that season, he was drafted in the sixth round, 184th overall, of the 2019 NHL Entry Draft by the San Jose Sharks.

Hatakka made his professional debut during the 2019–20 season, splitting time between Ilves in the Liiga and their farm club Koovee. He scored three points in 28 Liiga games.

On 12 May 2021, Hatakka signed a three-year, entry-level contract with the Sharks. He made his NHL debut for the Sharks on 30 October, in a 2–1 win over the Winnipeg Jets. On 9 November, Hatakka recorded his first NHL point, an assist, in a 4–1 win over the Calgary Flames.

In the 2022–23 season Hatakka played just eight games, all at the AHL level, due to a major upper-body injury sustained early in the year. On 26 February 2023, Hatakka was traded to the New Jersey Devils along with Timo Meier in a blockbuster multi-player trade. Hatakka was recalled to the Devils on 18 January 2024, as multiple of their regular defencemen were injured or sick. He made his debut for the team on 22 January, in a 6–5 overtime win against the Vegas Golden Knights.

International play
Hatakka has represented Finland at the under-16, under-17, under-18, and under-20 levels, including semifinal appearances at the 2020 and 2021 World Junior Ice Hockey Championships, at the latter of which he was an alternate captain and won a bronze medal. Across his two World Junior appearances, he scored three points in 14 games.