Joni Pitkanen

Finnish professional hockey player Joni Pitkanen is a defenseman for the Edmonton Oilers of the National Hockey League.

Pitkanen was drafted fourth overall by the Philadelphia Flyers during the first round of the 2002 NHL Entry Draft and joined the team for the 2003-2004 season. He earned 30 points in 71 regular season and 15 post season games during his rookie year.

After playing for the Flyers' American Hockey League affiliate, the Philadelphia Phantoms, for the locked out 2004-2005 season, Pitkanen returned for another two seasons with the Flyers. He recorded a career high of 46 points in the 2005-2006 season and became a key member of the Flyers' power play unit. Pitkanen led his team in power play assists and was second in power play scoring during the 2006-2007 season.

During the summer of 2007, Pitkanen was traded to the Edmonton Oilers with whom he signed a one-year contract worth $2.4 million.