Tappara Tampere
(Finland)
1994-1995

 For the first time, Ville leaves the Juniors and joins the Tappara Pro team. He played 16 games that season.

"I had #17 when I was really young. So when I got into the Finnish League for the first time, they gave me #17."

 

Tappara Tampere
(Finland)
1995-1996

 The next season, Ville played 4 games with the Pro team, and spent the rest of the season with the Junior A team and the KooVee farm team.

"The year after, somebody took my #17, and I had to wear my absolutely worst number, #18. I was not happy about that."

 

Tappara Tampere
(Finland)
1996-1997

 After 2 seasons spent with the Juniors, it's time for Ville to play full-time with the Pros. That year, he recorded 23 points in 49 games.

"The next year, I wanted to have the number that I wanted. Mauri Eivola from Turku [a famous finnish hockey player] was wearing #30. So I wanted to be interesting player like he was."

 

Hershey Bears
(AHL)
1997-1998

 1997, a big step in Ville's life. He leaves his hometown Tampere, for Hershey and the "american way of life". New country, new team, new life for the 20 years old Finn.

"#25 was just «take that, it's good»".

 

Hershey Bears
(AHL)
1998-2001

 One year after, Ville is already a keyplayer in the Hershey roster. He played with #10 for 3 seasons, and recorded 115 points in 169 games..

"The next year, during summer time, Tappara «great» Timo Susi [another finnish hockey legend] told my dad to tell me to take #10."

 

Colorado Avalanche
(NHL)
1999-2001

 After several short trips to Denver, Ville is finally recalled permanently by the Avs. In June 2001, he became the 5th finnish hockey player to win the Stanley Cup.

"#39 was just a training camp number, given to players by alphabetical order. I've good memories of this time, and I'm thinking to go back to #39."

 

Colorado Avalanche
(NHL)
2001-2002

 For his 2nd year in Denver, Ville went back to his lucky #10.

"After the Stanley Cup, I wanted to move on. So of course, back to #10".

 

Team Finland
2002 Salt Lake City Olympics

 Since he won the Stanley Cup with Colorado, Ville is a star in Finland, and soon he is called to join the finnish national team for the winter olympic games in Salt Lake City.

"Of course, Esa Tikkanen wore #10, so why not ?"

 

Pittsburgh Penguins
(NHL)
2001-2003

After a slow start and some misunderstanding in Colorado, Ville is traded to Pittsburgh.

"I was honored to wear #10 in Pittsburgh after Ron Francis. I just wish I could played better."

 

Chicago Blackhawks
(NHL)
2003-2004

 Free agent during summer 2003, Ville joins the Chicago Blackhawks, more motivated than ever.

"In Chicago, not a chance that somebody wears #10 after Tony Amonte. #20 is just good; #10 was a number for my junior years, and I'm growing up with #20 on the back."

 

Calgary Flames
(NHL)
2003-2004

 Just before the March's trade deadline, Ville is traded to Calgary, a team which still may had a chance to make the play-offs. The rest is history: the Flames defeated Vancouver, Detroit and San Jose, before losing game 7 of the Stanley Cup Finals in Tampa.

 

Tappara Tampere
(Finland)
2004-2005

 As the NHL season is cancelled because of the lock-out, Ville flies back to his hometown team, Tappara Tampere. Despite 3 months of unavailability because of a wrist injury, Ville ranks 3rd best scorer of the team.

 

New York Rangers
(NHL)
2005-2006

 The NHL starts again, and Ville is signed by the Rangers. New challenges in Big Apple for the 28 years old Finn.. who is traded to San Jose before the trade deadline.

 

San Jose Sharks
(NHL)
2005-2007

 Another good play-off run for Ville and the Sharks. Unfortunately season 2006-2007 was full of injuries and tensions with the coach.. This leads to a trade, in spring 2007.

 

St. Louis Blues
(NHL)
2006-2007

 19 games to play with St. Louis, and a very slight chance to make the play-offs. Maybe it's now time for reflexion about Ville's future, in the NHL or anywhere else.

 

Malmö Redhawks
(Sweden2)
2007-2008

 After a somewhat frustrating NHL season with very limited time of ice, and at the turning age of 30, Ville decides to give a new boost to his career and joins the Malmö Redhawks, who play in swedish Allsvenskan (2nd level).

 

Tappara Tampere
(Finland)
2008-2010

 After a brief stint in Sweden, Ville is back in his hometown Tampere, where he is a real living legend. He plays there 2 more seasons.

 

Sibir Novosibirsk
(Russia)
2010-2011

 On the road again. Ville faces a new challenge in KHL, in frozen Siberia.