Jani Lajunen

{{Infobox ice hockey player

| image = 2023-08-27 Eisbären Berlin gegen HC Sparta Prag (Preseason-Game 2023-24) by Sandro Halank–042.jpg

| caption = Lajunen in 2023

| image_size = 225px

| birth_date = {{Birth date and age|df=yes|1990|6|16}}

| birth_place = Espoo, Finland

| height_ft = 6

| height_in = 1

| weight_lb = 165

| position = Centre

| shoots = Left

| league = SHL

| team = Örebro HK

| former_teams = Espoo Blues
Milwaukee Admirals
Peoria Rivermen
Växjö Lakers
Tappara
HC Lugano

| ntl_team = FIN

| draft = 201st overall

| draft_team = Nashville Predators

| draft_year = 2008

| career_start = 2008

| career_end =

}}

Jani Lajunen (born 16 June 1990) is a Finnish professional ice hockey forward who is currently playing with HC Sparta Praha of the Czech Hockey League (EHL). He was selected by the Nashville Predators in the 7th round (201st overall) of the 2008 NHL Entry Draft.

Playing career

Having made his debut in SM-liiga in 2008, he made quick progress and became one of the key players with Espoo Blues.

He was selected to the Finnish national team for the 2011 IIHF World Championship. At the age of 20 he scored his first national team goal against Norway in the quarterfinals at his second game of the tournament. Lajunen also scored a goal in the semifinals against Russia. Team Finland went all the way to the final game and swept Sweden 6–1, winning Finland's second IIHF World Championship gold medal to date.

19 February 2013, Lajunen was traded by the Predators to the St. Louis Blues for fellow minor leaguer Scott Ford.{{cite web| url = https://www.nhl.com/predators/news/nashville-predators-acquire-defenseman-scott-ford-from-st-louis/c-656382 | title = Predators acquire Scott Ford from St.Louis | website = Nashville Predators | date = 2013-02-19 | accessdate = 2013-02-19}} He then played for Växjö Lakers of the Swedish Hockey League for two seasons before returning to Finland in joining Tappara on a two-year deal, commencing from the 2015–16 season.{{cite web| url = http://www.tappara.fi/liiga/uutiset/292-toukokuu-2015/8690-tuore-ruotsin-mestari-jani-lajunen-tapparaan | title = Fresh Swedish Champion Lajunen joins Tappara | website = Tappara | date = 2015-05-06 | accessdate = 2015-05-06 | language = Finnish}}

On 5 May 2017 Lajunen agreed to a two-year contract with HC Lugano of the National League (NL).{{Cite web | url = https://www.swisshockeynews.ch/index.php/shn/11-swiss-ice-hockey/nla/9363-is-jani-lajunen-one-of-hc-lugano-s-new-import-players | title = Is Jani Lajunen one of HC Lugano's new import players? | publisher = www.swisshockeynews.ch | date = 2017-05-05 | accessdate = 2017-05-05 | archive-date = 28 August 2017 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20170828232527/https://www.swisshockeynews.ch/index.php/shn/11-swiss-ice-hockey/nla/9363-is-jani-lajunen-one-of-hc-lugano-s-new-import-players | url-status = dead }} On December 24, 2018, Lajunen was signed to an early two-year contract extension by Lugano through to the end of the 2020–21 season.

On 20 May 2021, Lajunen left the Swiss National League as a free agent after four seasons and returned to the SHL, in agreeing to a two-year contract with Örebro HK.{{cite web| url = https://www.orebrohockey.se/article/z34jakowt-3afc1/valkommen-jani-lajunen | publisher = Örebro HK | title = Welcome Jani Lajunen to Örebro | date = 20 May 2021 | accessdate = 20 May 2021 | language = Swedish}}