Mika Noronen

Mika Noronen
Born	June 17, 1979 Tampere, FIN
Height	6 ft 2 in (188 cm)
Weight	196 lb (89 kg; 14 st 0 lb)
Position	Goaltender
Catches	Left
RSL team Former teams	AK Bars Kazan Buffalo Sabres Vancouver Canucks
NHL draft	21st overall, 1997 Buffalo Sabres
Playing career	2000–present

Mika Noronen (born June 17, 1979 in Tampere, Finland) is a Finnish professional ice hockey goaltender.

Noronen was drafted by the Buffalo Sabres in the 1997 NHL Entry Draft with pick number 21. In his native Finland, he has played for Tappara and HPK in the SM-liiga. He has also played for the Rochester Americans in the AHL.

On the 2006 trading deadline day he was traded to the Vancouver Canucks in exchange for a second round draft pick in 2006. On March 14th, 2006, Noronen played his first game as a Vancouver Canuck, allowing five goals in a 5-0 loss to the Nashville Predators.

Noronen was the first Finnish goaltender to be credited with a goal in the National Hockey League, a rare feat in itself.

In August of 2006, Noronen opted to sign with Russian Hockey Super League team AK Bars Kazan rather than sitting on the Canucks bench as back up to Roberto Luongo, making Noronen an unrestricted free agent at the end of the season.

Awards

• Dudley "Red" Garrett Memorial Award - 2000
• Hap Holmes Memorial Award (with Tom Askey) - 2001