JANNE PUHAKKA, the first openly gay player in Finland’s Liiga ice hockey league, tragically lost his life in a violent incident in Espoo, Finland. The incident involved a shooting at a private residence and the suspect has been identified as Rolf Nordmo, the partner of Puhakka. The motive behind the attack has not been disclosed by the police, but they have classified the case as murder due to evidence of deliberation.
Puhakka, a trailblazer for LGBTQ+ representation in sports, had come out publicly in 2019 and was a role model for many. His participation in a TV show has been cut short due to the tragic event. The entire community is mourning the loss of a beloved athlete and advocate for diversity.