Erik Haula Bio
Erik Haula is a Finnish professional ice hockey forward who currently plays for the Nashville Predators of the National Hockey League (NHL). Born on 23 March 1991 in Pori, Finland, Haula has established himself as a versatile two-way forward during his professional career spanning from 2013 to the present. The 6-foot, 191-pound left-shooting forward was selected by the Minnesota Wild in the seventh round, 182nd overall, at the 2009 NHL Entry Draft, ultimately proving to be a steal as he developed into a consistent NHL contributor. Throughout his career, Haula has played for seven NHL teams, showcasing his adaptability and value as a dependable forward who can contribute offensively while excelling in defensive situations.
Early Life and Background
Erik Haula grew up in Pori, Finland, where he began playing ice hockey at the local club HC Ässät Pori. During the 2006-07 season, Haula demonstrated his scoring ability by recording 43 points in 29 games for the Ässät under-18 team. The following season, he elevated his play with the Ässät under-20 team in the U20 SM-sarja, accumulating 22 points in 40 games despite his team falling to KalPa in the finals. Haula attended the Swedish-speaking Björneborgs svenska samskola in his youth, a school known for producing several talented ice hockey players. Notably, he did not receive significant playing time in Ässät’s SM-liiga lineup during his junior career.
Following his junior career in Finland, Haula made the decision to pursue his hockey education in the United States. In the 2008-09 season, he played for Shattuck-Saint Mary’s in Faribault, Minnesota, where he recorded an impressive 24 goals and 55 assists for 79 points in 49 games. This strong performance helped him commit to the University of Minnesota in March 2009, making him only the second player born outside North America to play for the Gophers, following future Wild teammate Thomas Vanek of Austria. Before beginning his college career, Haula played one season in the United States Hockey League (USHL) with the Omaha Lancers during the 2009-10 season while attending Daniel J. Gross Catholic High School.
Path to Professional Hockey
Haula’s time with the Omaha Lancers proved instrumental in his development as a player. In his sole USHL season, he tallied 28 goals and 44 assists with a remarkable plus-minus rating of plus-36, helping lead the Lancers to the Western Division finals. His outstanding performance earned him recognition on both the All-Star and All-Rookie teams, signaling his readiness for higher levels of competition. This success directly paved the way for his college hockey career at the University of Minnesota.
Over three seasons with the Gophers, Haula developed into a complete two-way player, totaling 42 goals, 82 assists, and 124 points in 114 games. His consistent offensive production combined with his defensive responsibility made him a valuable asset for Minnesota. After his junior year, Haula made the decision to forgo his senior year and final season of collegiate eligibility to turn professional, signing with the Minnesota Wild organization in April 2013.
Erik Haula Career
Minnesota Wild (2013-2017)
Erik Haula signed his entry-level contract with the Minnesota Wild on 7 April 2013, beginning his professional career with the Iowa Wild in the American Hockey League (AHL). The Wild recalled him to the NHL roster on 29 November 2013, and Haula made his NHL debut that same night against the Colorado Avalanche. He recorded his first NHL point, an assist, and was named the game’s third star in a 3-1 loss. Haula was reassigned to Iowa in December before returning to Minnesota, where he scored his first career NHL goal against the Dallas Stars on 18 January 2014.
The 2015-16 season marked Haula’s breakout year in the NHL. He set career highs in goals, assists, and points, more than doubling his previous totals in all three categories. Haula centered Minnesota’s third line with Nino Niederreiter and Jason Pominville, forming what became the team’s most effective offensive line while also serving as a shutdown unit against opponents’ top players. His versatility and consistent scoring made him an invaluable piece of the Wild’s roster during his four seasons in Minnesota.
Vegas Golden Knights (2017-2019)
Following the 2016-17 season, Haula was left exposed for the 2017 NHL Expansion Draft as a restricted free agent. After agreeing to a three-year, $8.25 million contract with the Vegas Golden Knights, Haula was selected by the new franchise on 21 June 2017. Speaking about joining the expansion team, Haula expressed excitement about building something new in Las Vegas. He suffered a lower-body injury in October 2017 but returned to the lineup later that month, eventually centering a line between David Perron and James Neal.
The 2017-18 season proved to be historic for both Haula and the Golden Knights. He recorded a career-high 29 goals and 55 points through 76 games, helping the expansion team achieve unprecedented success in their inaugural season. On 1 February 2018, Haula scored a goal to help the Golden Knights set a franchise record for most wins by an NHL team in its inaugural season. During the 2018 Stanley Cup Playoffs, Haula played a crucial role, including scoring the second overtime game-winning goal in Game 2 against the Los Angeles Kings in the longest game in franchise history. The Golden Knights advanced to the Western Conference Final before being eliminated. Haula began the 2018-19 season on the second line but suffered a right leg injury that ultimately required knee surgery in December 2018.
Carolina Hurricanes and Florida Panthers (2019-2021)
On 26 June 2019, the Golden Knights traded Haula to the Carolina Hurricanes in exchange for prospect Nicolas Roy and a conditional fifth-round draft pick. Haula started the 2019-20 season strongly, recording eight points through nine games and earning praise from teammates as a perfect fit for the system. By November, he had tallied 11 points in 16 games, ranking fourth on the Hurricanes in goals before suffering another lower-body injury. After missing additional time due to a knee injury, Haula returned to the lineup in December 2019.
At the NHL trade deadline in February 2020, the Hurricanes dealt Haula to the Florida Panthers as part of a multi-player trade for Vincent Trocheck. He finished the shortened 2019-20 season with his new team before becoming a free agent at the conclusion of that campaign.
Return to Nashville and Boston (2020-2022)
On 23 December 2020, Haula signed a one-year, $1.75 million contract with the Nashville Predators, returning to the team he had briefly faced earlier in his career. In the pandemic-shortened 2020-21 season, he recorded 9 goals and 21 points in 51 games. Following the season, Haula signed as a free agent with the Boston Bruins on 28 July 2021, agreeing to a two-year, $4.75 million contract. During training camp and the preseason, he centered a line with Jake DeBrusk and Nick Foligno. Haula scored his first Bruins goal on 13 November 2021 in a road victory against the New Jersey Devils. Despite a slow start to the season, he finished with 18 goals and 44 points in 78 games, his best statistical output since his 2017-18 season with the Golden Knights.
New Jersey Devils (2022-2023)
On 13 July 2022, the Bruins traded Haula to the New Jersey Devils in exchange for Pavel Zacha. Haula continued his solid two-way play with the Devils during the 2022-23 season. Recognizing his contributions, the franchise signed him to a three-year, $9.45 million extension on 23 June 2023, securing his services through the 2025-26 season.
Return to Nashville Predators (2025-Present)
On 18 June 2025, Haula’s career came full circle when the Devils traded him back to the Nashville Predators in exchange for Jeremy Hanzel and a fourth-round draft pick. This return marked the beginning of a new chapter for the veteran forward with the organization he first joined in late 2020. Haula’s experience and versatility were expected to provide leadership and stability to the Predators’ forward corps as he entered this new phase of his career.
Playing Style and Strengths
Erik Haula has developed a reputation as a reliable two-way forward throughout his NHL career. His ability to contribute offensively while maintaining strong defensive responsibility has made him a valuable asset for multiple organizations. Haula’s versatility allows him to play both center and wing positions, and he has successfully centered various line combinations throughout his career. His left-shot ability and hockey intelligence have enabled him to adapt to different team systems and linemates, contributing consistently regardless of his role.
Notable Events and Milestones
Among Haula’s most memorable career moments is scoring the overtime game-winning goal in Game 2 of the 2018 Stanley Cup Playoffs against the Los Angeles Kings, which remains the longest game in Vegas Golden Knights franchise history. His career-high 29-goal season with the Golden Knights during their inaugural campaign helped establish the expansion team as legitimate Stanley Cup contenders. Haula also represented Finland at the 2026 Winter Olympics, winning a bronze medal for his national team.
Erik Haula Career Wins
Throughout his professional career, Erik Haula has accumulated significant wins across both regular season and playoff competition. While precise career totals require verification from official league sources, his most notable achievement remains his role in helping the Vegas Golden Knights reach the Western Conference Final during their inaugural season in 2018. Haula’s playoff contributions included four goals and three assists during the Wild’s 2014 Stanley Cup Playoffs run, as well as his overtime heroics against the Kings in 2018. His career-high regular season totals of 29 goals and 55 points during the 2017-18 campaign with the Golden Knights represent his most productive statistical outputs to date.
International Achievement
Erik Haula represented Finland at the international level, most notably competing at the 2026 Winter Olympics where he helped the Finnish national team win a bronze medal. This achievement added to Finland’s tradition of producing competitive national team performances in international hockey competitions.
Erik Haula Family
Family Background
Erik Haula comes from a hockey family with strong connections to the sport. His father, Tomi Haula, works as a hockey agent representing professional players. This family background likely influenced Erik’s career path and provided him with valuable insights into the business side of professional hockey from an early age.
Personal Life
Haula attended the Swedish-speaking Björneborgs svenska samskola during his youth in Pori, Finland, a school that has produced several notable ice hockey players over the years. He pursued his hockey education in North America, playing at Shattuck-Saint Mary’s before attending the University of Minnesota. His decision to play college hockey at Minnesota made him only the second player born outside North America to represent the Gophers, following in the footsteps of Thomas Vanek. Throughout his career, Haula has been known for his work ethic and team-first mentality, qualities that have helped him remain a consistent contributor at the NHL level for over a decade.
2025 Season Performance
The 2025 season marked a significant transition for Erik Haula following his trade back to the Nashville Predators in June 2025. After spending parts of two seasons with the New Jersey Devils, Haula returned to the organization where he had previously played during the 2020-21 season. The Predators acquired him for Jeremy Hanzel and a fourth-round draft pick, signaling their confidence in Haula’s ability to contribute to the team’s success. His familiarity with the organization and the Western Conference should have facilitated a relatively smooth transition back into the Predators’ lineup.
Haula’s role with the Predators was expected to leverage his experience and versatility as the team looked to improve upon previous seasons. His career totals and consistent two-way play made him a valuable addition to Nashville’s forward group. The veteran presence he brings, combined with his ability to play multiple positions, gave the Predators flexibility in constructing their lines and matchups throughout the season.
The outlook for Haula and the Predators appeared promising as he entered this new chapter of his career. With his three-year contract extension signed in 2023 providing financial security through the 2025-26 season, Haula had the opportunity to establish himself as a long-term contributor in Nashville. His proven track record of adapting to different team environments and maintaining professional standards made him a reliable asset for a Predators franchise looking to remain competitive in the highly competitive Central Division.