Happy 63rd to Kari Takko! The Finnish Netminder Drafted Twice Who Shined Brightest in 1988-89 and Backstopped Both the North Stars and Oilers Before Returning Home to Ässät Pori

Kari Takko’s story is one of perseverance, loyalty, and quiet excellence, carved out during an era where European goaltenders were just beginning to gain real traction in the National Hockey League. Born on June 23, 1962, in Tampere, Finland, Takko entered the hockey world at a time when most of his peers were either North American or well-entrenched in European leagues. But with size, skill, and an unshakable calm in the crease, the 6’2″ Finnish netminder carved a unique path that included two NHL drafts, multiple seasons in Minnesota and Edmonton, and a long, decorated run with his beloved Ässät Pori in Finland’s top league. As he turns 63 today, his story remains a fascinating case study of a player who stood tall—both literally and figuratively—across multiple continents and eras in hockey.

Takko’s first brush with the NHL came in 1981 when the Quebec Nordiques selected him 200th overall. At that time, it was common for NHL teams to take late-round flyers on European players, especially those in goal, where the transition to North American ice was still fraught with uncertainty. Quebec’s decision wasn’t immediately acted upon, as Takko continued his development in Finland, primarily with Ässät Pori, a club that would come to define much of his professional identity. He stayed put, honing his technique and building a reputation as one of Finland’s steadiest goaltenders.

By 1984, however, another NHL club saw promise in him—this time, the Minnesota North Stars. They used their ninth-round pick, 182nd overall, to secure his rights in what essentially served as a second chance to bring him across the Atlantic. This time, the stars aligned. Kari Takko would finally take the leap into the NHL, joining a Minnesota team that was in the midst of trying to find its footing in the highly competitive Campbell Conference.

The NHL landscape Takko stepped into during the mid-1980s was unlike anything he’d seen before. Goaltending in the league was unforgiving—scoring was high, defensive structure was loose compared to today’s standards, and goalies had to rely heavily on instinct, durability, and positioning. Still, despite these challenges, Takko held his own. Over the course of six seasons with the North Stars, he played in 135 games, compiling a record of 37-71-14. Those numbers, at first glance, may seem underwhelming, but the context paints a different picture. Minnesota often struggled defensively during those years, and Takko was frequently left to weather relentless offensive assaults from powerhouse teams like Edmonton, Calgary, and Chicago.

Perhaps Takko’s finest NHL campaign came during the 1988-89 season. While his win-loss record stood at just 8-15-4, he recorded a 3.48 goals-against average and a .899 save percentage. That may not sound like much by modern standards, but in the high-flying offensive era of the late 1980s, it was significantly better than the league average save percentage of .879. Essentially, Takko was often a lone bulwark keeping the North Stars in games they had little business competing in. His reflexes were sharp, his angles tight, and his positioning almost mathematical—he never seemed to waste movement, and always appeared calm, even under siege.

In 1990, Minnesota made a move that surprised some: they traded Takko to the Edmonton Oilers. This trade became memorable not so much for the on-ice impact, but for its humor—it was a rare example of a “Takko Bell” trade, as the Oilers sent goaltender Bruce Bell to Minnesota in return. It was a moment that offered a light-hearted pun in the usually dry transaction world of the NHL. While his stint in Edmonton was brief—just 11 games—Takko continued to demonstrate the same consistency and effort that defined his career. He never complained, never sought headlines. He just put his head down and went to work, quietly doing his job in the background of a team still basking in the afterglow of its 1980s dynasty.

Ultimately, Takko’s NHL numbers—37 wins, 71 losses, 14 ties, a 3.90 goals-against average, and a .878 save percentage—don’t tell the full story. He was not a flashy goalie, nor did he ever lead the league in statistical categories. But he was the type of player every team needs: reliable, hardworking, humble. In an era when European goalies were still seen as gambles or novelties, he proved that they could compete and thrive at the highest level of the sport. In many ways, he paved the way for the likes of Miikka Kiprusoff, Tuukka Rask, and Pekka Rinne, Finnish netminders who would later dominate in the NHL.

After his time in North America ended, Takko returned to familiar soil—Ässät Pori—where he would spend the remainder of his professional playing career. His return to Finland was more than a homecoming; it was a reconnection with the club that helped shape him. He brought back with him not just NHL experience, but also a professional approach that elevated those around him. In Finland, he was a mentor, a veteran presence, and a symbol of what it meant to represent your hometown team with pride and dignity.

Following his retirement as a player, Takko remained close to the game. His knowledge, particularly of goaltending and European talent, made him a valuable asset in hockey circles. He transitioned into scouting and management roles, continuing to give back to the sport that had defined his life. For several years, he served in prominent roles with Ässät and was involved with scouting operations for various NHL clubs, including a long stint with the Dallas Stars organization. In those positions, he helped usher in the next generation of hockey talent, ensuring that the lessons of his own career would carry forward.

To many Finnish hockey fans, Takko is more than just a former player—he is a national icon of sorts, an early ambassador of Finnish goaltending on the NHL stage. His calm demeanor, technical skill, and unassuming nature made him relatable, and his loyalty to Ässät Pori only deepened his connection to Finnish hockey culture. In a world increasingly dominated by flash and flair, Takko’s career was a refreshing reminder that steadiness and character still count for something.

Today, as he celebrates his 63rd birthday, Kari Takko can look back on a life in hockey that was rich in experience, marked by trailblazing moments, and grounded in humility. His journey from Tampere to Minnesota, from Edmonton back to Pori, represents the global arc of hockey over the past four decades. When he first stepped onto NHL ice, Finnish players were still considered rare imports. Now, thanks in part to his efforts and example, Finland produces top-tier goaltending talent with regularity, and its players are scattered across the NHL landscape.

In some ways, Takko’s legacy is best measured not by numbers but by influence. He showed that a Finnish goalie could be trusted in North American nets, that quiet competence was just as valuable as loud brilliance, and that you could honor your roots while reaching for global heights. His story doesn’t need embellishment or hyperbole—its value lies in its honesty, its integrity, and its reflection of the blue-collar ethos that defines much of hockey’s best.

Even now, fans in both Minnesota and Finland remember him with affection. North Stars faithful recall his clutch performances during otherwise difficult seasons, while Ässät fans continue to revere him as one of their own—a hometown hero who never forgot where he came from. His “Takko Bell” trade remains one of the sport’s most amusing trivia tidbits, and his technical proficiency between the pipes remains the stuff of coaching clinics and scouting reports.

In a hockey universe that often rewards the loudest voices and flashiest moves, Kari Takko’s steady, principled career stands out all the more. He wasn’t the biggest name, but he had a big presence. He didn’t dominate headlines, but he was always dependable. And he never sought the spotlight, but it found him anyway—through his work ethic, his respect for the game, and the quiet leadership he exhibited on and off the ice.

So here’s to Kari Takko on his 63rd birthday—a two-time NHL draftee, a steady presence for the Minnesota North Stars and Edmonton Oilers, and a lifelong servant of Ässät Pori and Finnish hockey. His career may not have been defined by championships or record-breaking numbers, but it was rich in purpose, consistency, and respect. That, in the end, is a legacy any player would be proud to call their own.