Finnish professional hockey player Valtteri Filppula currently plays for the Detroit Red Wings in the National Hockey League.

Filppula began his professional career playing for the Jokerit in the SM-liiga, the professional hockey league in Finland. Filppula was drafted by the Detroit Red Wings 95th overall in the 2002 NHL Draft, but continued to play in Finland for two seasons between 2003 and 2005. He then joined the Red Wings for the 2005-06 season, playing the majority of his first season with the Wings' minor league affiliate the Grand Rapids Griffins in the American Hockey League and earning a selection to the AHL All-Star Game.http://redwings.nhl.com/club/player.htm?id=8470047

Filppula joined the Wings as a full roster member in 2006, playing in 73 regular season games and 18 playoff games. He finished his rookie season with ten goals and seven assists. His numbers improved in the 2007-08 season, totaling 19 goals and 17 assists in 78 games with the Wings as they became Stanley Cup champions by defeating the Pittsburgh Penguins in the 2008 Stanley Cup Finals, including scoring in games six of the series.http://redwings.nhl.com/club/player.htm?id=8470047

After recording a career-best 40 points in the 2008-09 season, Filppula helped the Red Wings return to their second-consecutive Stanley Cup Finals. Detroit however did not repeat as champions, losing to Pittsburgh in seven games.http://redwings.nhl.com/club/player.htm?id=8470047

During the off-season, Filpulla returns to his home in Espo, Finland, where he enjoys playing tennis and watching movies.http://redwings.nhl.com/club/player.htm?id=8470047&view=bio

Filppula missed several games during the beginning of the 2009-10 season after breaking his wrist. He was able to play in 55 games, netting 11 goals and adding 24 assists. Filppula also played with Team Finland in the 2010 Winter Olympics. He scored an empty-net goal against Slovakia, taking home the bronze medal.http://redwings.nhl.com/club/player.htm?id=8470047