Erik Haula

BIOGRAPHY

Erik Haula was born March 23, 1991 in Pori, Finland. He is a left wing in the National Hockey League.

Haula was selected by the Wild in the seventh round, 182nd overall, of the 2009 NHL Entry Draft. The Minnesota Wild signed Haula to an entry-level contract on 7 April 2013. During the 2013–14 season on 29 November 2013, the Wild recalled Haula from the Iowa Wild of the American Hockey League to make his NHL debut, where he scored first NHL point, an assist, and he was named the game's third star. Haula scored his first career NHL goal in the first period. During 2014 Stanley Cup playoffs, he scored four goals and three assists in 13 playoff games. Following the 2014–15 NHL season Haula became a restricted free agent and the Minnesota Wild made him a qualifying offer to retain his NHL right. The 2015–16 season saw a breakout year for Haula, as he set NHL personal bests in goals, assists, and points, more than doubling his previous highs in all three categories. He centered Minnesota's third line with Nino Niederreiter and Jason Pominville, quickly becoming Minnesota's most effective line offensively as well as acting as a shutdown line against the league's best. 

After the 2016–17, Haula agreed to a three-year, $8.25 million deal with the Vegas Golden Knights. On 26 June 2019, Haula was traded by the Golden Knights to the Carolina Hurricanes and was later dealt at the NHL trade deadline by the Hurricanes on 24 February 2020. On 23 December 2020, approaching the delayed 2020–21 season, Haula signed as a free agent in agreeing a one-year, $1.75 million contract with the Nashville Predators. He recorded 9 goals and 21 points in 51 games of the shortened season. As a free agent at the conclusion of his contract with the Predators, Haula was signed to a two-year, $4.75 million contract with the Boston Bruins on 28 July 2021. On 13 July 2022, Haula was traded to the New Jersey Devils.