Tuomas Grönman facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Tuomas Grönman |
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| Born | 22 March 1974 Viitasaari, Finland |
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| Height | 6 ft 3 in (191 cm) | ||
| Weight | 219 lb (99 kg; 15 st 9 lb) | ||
| Position | Defenceman | ||
| Shot | Right | ||
| Played for | Pittsburgh Penguins Chicago Blackhawks Lukko Rauma TPS Turku Jokerit Helsinki |
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| National team |  Finland |
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| NHL Draft | 29th overall, 1992 Quebec Nordiques |
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| Playing career | 1991–2003 | ||
Tuomas Oskar Grönman (born on March 22, 1974) is a former professional ice hockey player from Finland. He played as a defenceman, which is a player who helps protect the team's goal. Tuomas played in the top hockey leagues, including the NHL in North America and the SM-liiga in Finland.
Contents
Tuomas Grönman's Hockey Journey
Tuomas Grönman started his professional hockey journey when he was picked by the Quebec Nordiques in the second round of the 1992 NHL Entry Draft. This draft is where NHL teams choose young players to join their clubs.
Developing Skills in Finland
After being drafted, Tuomas spent four years playing and improving his skills in Finland. Even though the Nordiques still had his rights, they didn't offer him a professional contract right away.
Moving to the NHL Teams
In 1996, the Quebec Nordiques team moved and became the Colorado Avalanche. Tuomas's NHL rights were then traded to the Chicago Blackhawks. A little over a year later, in 1997, the Blackhawks traded him to the Pittsburgh Penguins.
Playing in North America
Tuomas played some games in the NHL for both the Blackhawks and the Penguins. He also played for their farm teams, like the Indianapolis Ice and the Syracuse Crunch. These farm teams help players develop before they join the main NHL team.
Injury and Return to Finland
In 1998, while playing for the Kansas City Blades, Tuomas had a serious knee injury. This injury caused him to miss most of that season. After his contract ended, he decided to return to Finland. He continued his career there, playing for teams like TPS, Lukko, and Jokerit.
Olympic Success
One of the highlights of Tuomas Grönman's career was helping Finland win a bronze medal at the 1998 Winter Olympics in Nagano, Japan. This was a big achievement for him and his country. He retired from professional hockey in 2003.
External Links
- Tuomas Grönman at Olympedia
- Tomas Groenman at Olympics.com (archived: OlympicChannel.com and Olympic.org)
