Death of gay ice hockey player Janne Puhakka treated as murder

The death of a gay former ice hockey player is being investigated as a homicide.

Janne Puhakka, who came out as gay in 2019, is the first Finnish hockey player to talk about his sexuality and discusses having to hide his sexuality from teammates due to homophobia in the sport. Ta. Finnish news agency Ilta Sanomat reported that he died on Sunday evening (October 13) at his home in the southern city of Espoo. He was 29 years old.

A 66-year-old man was arrested at the scene on suspicion of murder and questioned by police on Monday (October 14), but has not been charged.

Tributes have poured in for the former hockey star.

The official X/Twitter account of Liga, Finland’s top professional ice hockey league, described him as an “important role model” and said his “courage and candor have left an indelible mark on the Finnish hockey world.” .

Hockey expert Topi Nettinen told Sports. Eel Urheil He said Puhakka’s death was “shocking, sad and horrifying”.

Nettinen further said: “The first thing that comes to mind about Janne is a role model. His courage opened new doors socially not only in Finland but all over the world. [He] He was a special person both in the hockey community and the sports world at large. He was very brave. It may not be understood what a great role model he was to many. ”

Lapasses des Gap, the French hockey club where Puhakka played during the 2017-18 season, said in a statement on social media that Puhakka “left a mark on his staff and teammates with his kindness and team spirit.”

Please share your thoughts! Let us know in the comments section below. Please keep the conversation respectful.