Jani Lajunen

Who is Jani Lajunen?

Jani Lajunen is a Finnish professional ice hockey forward. He is currently playing with the Växjö Lakers of the Swedish Hockey League. He was selected by the Nashville Predators in the 7th round of the 2008 NHL Entry Draft.

Having made his debut in SM-liiga in 2008, he made quick progress and became one of the key players with Espoo Blues. He was selected to the Finnish national team for the 2011 IIHF World Championship. At the age of 20 he scored his first national team goal against Norway in the quarterfinals at his second game of the tournament. Lajunen also scored a goal in the semifinals against Russia. Team Finland went all the way to the final game and swept Sweden 6–1, winning Finland's second IIHF World Championship gold medal to date.

February 19, 2013, Lajunen was traded to the St. Louis Blues for fellow minor leaguer Scott Ford.