Jarmo Wasama

Who was Jarmo Wasama?

Jarmo Sakari Wasama was an ice hockey player who played in the SM-liiga. He played for Ilves. He was inducted into the Finnish Hockey Hall of Fame in 1985. Wasama won two championships, one silver and two bronzes. He was elected to all-star team 5 times.

Wasama possessed good skills for a defenseman in Finland and it is much speculated would Wasama have been the first Finnish player in the NHL.

In February of 1966, Wasama lost his life in an automobile accident that resulted from foggy weather conditions. While on his way home from practice, Wasama's car struck a tractor which had stalled on the road. Wasama's car also had a passenger, his father, who did suffer some injuries but survived the accident. Wasama's father, Matti was also a former Ilves-player.

Wasama's jersey number 2 was immediately retired from use by Ilves.

The trophy which is handed out to the best "rookie" player in SM-liiga is named as Jarmo Wasama memorial trophy in honour of Wasama.