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 built a steady NHL career spanning multiple teams since making his debut in 2013. Selected by the Minnesota Wild in the seventh round, 182nd overall, at the 2009 NHL Entry Draft, Haula has developed into a reliable two-way forward known for his offensive production and defensive responsibility. Standing at 6 feet 0 inches and weighing 191 pounds, he shoots left and has established himself as a versatile player capable of contributing across different forward positions and line combinations throughout his career.
Early Life and Background
Erik Haula grew up in Pori, Finland, where he began his hockey journey 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 Ässät U18. The following season he transitioned to the Ässät U20 team in the U20 SM-sarja, accumulating 22 points in 40 games. His hometown club reached the U20 SM-sarja finals but fell to KalPa. Despite his strong junior performances, Haula did not earn regular playing time in Ässät’s SM-liiga lineup, which prompted him to pursue opportunities in North America.
In his youth, Haula attended the Swedish-speaking Björneborgs svenska samskola in Pori, an institution known for developing multiple talented ice hockey players. His father, Tomi Haula, works as a sports agent specializing in representing professional ice hockey players, providing Erik with early exposure to the business side of the sport. This family background in hockey administration would prove influential in shaping his professional career trajectory.
Path to Professional Hockey
Haula made the decision to pursue his hockey career in the United States, beginning with the 2008-09 season at Shattuck-Saint Mary’s in Faribault, Minnesota. At Shattuck-Saint Mary’s, he recorded an impressive 24 goals and 55 assists for 79 points in 49 games. His strong performance attracted attention from college programs, and in March 2009, Haula committed to the University of Minnesota. He would become only the second player born outside North America to play for the Gophers, following future Wild teammate Thomas Vanek of Austria.
Before joining the University of Minnesota, Haula played one season in the United States Hockey League (USHL) with the Omaha Lancers during the 2009-10 campaign while attending Daniel J. Gross Catholic High School. His 28 goals and 44 assists, combined with a plus-minus rating of plus-36, helped lead the Lancers to the Western Division finals. His outstanding rookie season earned him selections to both the USHL All-Star and All-Rookie teams, validating his potential as a future professional player.
Erik Haula Career
Minnesota Wild (2013-2017)
Haula concluded his college career at the University of Minnesota after three seasons, totaling 42 goals, 82 assists, and 124 points in 114 games with the Gophers. He decided to forgo his senior year of eligibility and signed a professional entry-level contract with the Minnesota Wild on 7 April 2013. During the 2013-14 season, Haula received his first NHL recall from the Iowa Wild of the American Hockey League on 29 November 2013, making his NHL debut that same evening 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 in the first period.
The 2015-16 season marked Haula’s breakthrough year in the NHL, as he set career personal bests in goals, assists, and points, more than doubling his previous highs in all three statistical categories. He centered Minnesota’s third line with Nino Niederreiter and Jason Pominville, quickly becoming the Wild’s most effective line offensively while also excelling as a shutdown unit against the league’s top players. Following that strong campaign, Haula went through the salary arbitration process as a restricted free agent before the 2016-17 season.
Vegas Golden Knights (2017-2019)
After four seasons with the Wild, Haula was left exposed for the 2017 NHL Expansion Draft by Minnesota. The Vegas Golden Knights selected him as their pick from the Wild on 21 June 2017, acquiring him in exchange for prospect Alex Tuch and a conditional third-round draft pick. Haula agreed to a three-year, $8.25 million contract with his new team, expressing excitement about the opportunity to help build an expansion franchise from the ground up. However, his inaugural season with the Golden Knights began with adversity when he suffered a lower-body injury on 14 October 2017, expected to miss at least one week.
Haula returned to the Golden Knights lineup on 27 October and was immediately integrated into the lineup, centering a line between David Perron and James Neal. His production increased as the season progressed, and during December, he and teammate William Karlsson each recorded seven goals, ranking among the league’s top scorers for that month. On 1 February 2018, Haula scored a goal to help the Golden Knights set a record for the most wins by an NHL team in its inaugural season. He concluded the regular season with a career-high 29 goals and 55 points through 76 games.
During the 2018 Stanley Cup Playoffs, Haula delivered several memorable performances. In Game 2 of the first-round series against the Los Angeles Kings, he scored the second overtime game-winning goal, ending the longest game in Golden Knights franchise history and giving Vegas a 2-1 victory. The Golden Knights swept the Kings in four games before defeating the San Jose Sharks in six games in the second round. Haula contributed crucial goals, including scoring alongside Cody Eakin and Jonathan Marchessault in a span of 1:31 during Game 1 against San Jose. Vegas ultimately advanced to the Western Conference Final, where they defeated the Winnipeg Jets in five games.
The 2018-19 season presented challenges as Haula transitioned to the wing position on the Golden Knights’ second line with Max Pacioretty and Paul Stastny after losing his previous linemates. He sustained a right leg injury when hit by Toronto Maple Leafs forward Patrick Marleau in November. Although initially expected to miss only a few games, further examination revealed the severity of the injury, and Haula underwent surgery on his right knee in December 2018, requiring a longer recovery period.
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. He began the 2019-20 season strongly, recording eight points through nine games and earning praise from teammate Jordan Martinook, who described him as a perfect fit for the team. By November, Haula had tallied 11 points in 16 games, ranking fourth on the Hurricanes in goals. He continued to battle injuries throughout the season, missing games with lower-body ailments before being named out indefinitely on 18 November due to a knee injury.
At the NHL trade deadline during the 2019-20 season, Haula was dealt by the Hurricanes to the Florida Panthers along with Lucas Wallmark, Eetu Luostarinen, and Chase Priskie in exchange for Vincent Trocheck. Following the season, Haula signed a one-year, $1.75 million contract with the Nashville Predators on 23 December 2020 as the league prepared for a shortened 2020-21 season. He recorded 9 goals and 21 points in 51 games during that pandemic-affected campaign.
Boston Bruins (2021-2022)
On 28 July 2021, Haula joined the Boston Bruins, signing a two-year, $4.75 million contract as a free agent. During training camp and the pre-season, he centered a line with Jake DeBrusk and Nick Foligno. Haula scored his first Bruins goal on 13 November 2021 during a 5-2 road victory over the New Jersey Devils. Despite experiencing a slow start to the season, he rallied to finish with 18 goals and 44 points in 78 games, his most productive campaign since the 2017-18 season with the Golden Knights.
New Jersey Devils (2022-2025)
On 13 July 2022, Haula was traded to the New Jersey Devils in exchange for Pavel Zacha. He continued his steady offensive contribution with the Devils, demonstrating his versatility as a two-way forward capable of playing multiple forward positions. On 23 June 2023, Haula signed a three-year, $9.45 million contract extension with New Jersey, securing his future with the team through the 2025-26 season. His consistent performance and veteran leadership made him a valuable presence in the Devils’ locker room during his tenure.
Return to Nashville Predators (2025-Present)
On 18 June 2025, Haula’s career came full circle when he was traded back to the Nashville Predators, the team he had played for during the 2020-21 season, in exchange for Jeremy Hanzel and a fourth-round draft pick in 2025. This return marked a homecoming for Haula, who had maintained connections with the organization since his initial stint with the Predators. His experience and veteran presence were expected to provide stability and leadership to a Nashville team seeking to compete in the Western Conference.
Playing Style and Strengths
Erik Haula is recognized as a reliable two-way forward who brings consistency to whichever line he joins. His ability to contribute offensively while maintaining strong defensive responsibility has made him a valuable asset throughout his career. Haula has demonstrated versatility by successfully playing both center and wing positions, allowing coaches to utilize him in various lineup configurations depending on team needs. His forechecking ability, puck protection skills, and willingness to engage in battles along the boards have earned him reputation as a player who competes hard every shift. His career-high 29-goal season with Vegas demonstrated his offensive ceiling when given increased ice time and quality linemates.
Notable Events and Milestones
Among Haula’s most memorable career moments is his overtime game-winning goal in Game 2 of the 2018 Western Conference First Round against the Los Angeles Kings, which remains one of the longest games in Golden Knights franchise history. His career-best 2015-16 season with Minnesota and his 29-goal, 55-point performance during Vegas’s inaugural season highlight his ability to thrive in expanded roles. Haula’s resilience in returning from multiple knee injuries throughout his career demonstrates his durability and commitment to the sport. His journey from a seventh-round draft pick to a consistent NHL contributor represents a testament to his work ethic and persistence in reaching the professional level.
Erik Haula Career Wins
Throughout his NHL career spanning from 2013 to the present, Erik Haula has accumulated significant achievements across the regular season and playoffs. His most productive seasons came with the Vegas Golden Knights during their inaugural campaign, where he set career highs across all offensive categories. Haula’s playoff resume includes multiple deep runs with Vegas, including their remarkable run to the Western Conference Final in 2018.
Individual Highlights
Haula’s most notable individual season came during the 2017-18 campaign with the Vegas Golden Knights, where he recorded career highs of 29 goals and 55 points in 76 regular-season games. His previous best season was 2015-16 with Minnesota, where he more than doubled his previous offensive totals. In the playoffs, Haula’s overtime game-winning goal against Los Angeles in Game 2 of the 2018 first round stands as one of his most significant career moments. He accumulated four goals and three assists in 13 playoff games during the 2014 Stanley Cup Playoffs with Minnesota, his first postseason experience.
Team Success and International Play
While Haula’s teams have achieved considerable success during his career, particularly the Golden Knights’ historic inaugural season run to the Western Conference Final, he has not won a Stanley Cup championship to date. He represented Finland internationally at the 2026 Winter Olympics, where he helped the Finnish team capture a bronze medal. This Olympic achievement adds to his international resume as a player who has represented his home country at one of hockey’s premier competitions.
Erik Haula Family
Family Background and Hockey Lineage
Erik Haula comes from a hockey-oriented family with strong connections to the sport in Finland. His father, Tomi Haula, works as a professional sports agent who represents ice hockey players, providing Erik with unique insights into the business and professional side of the game from an early age. Growing up in Pori, Erik was immersed in Finland’s rich hockey culture, learning the fundamentals and developing his skills at HC Ässät Pori before eventually pursuing his career in North America.
Personal Life
Haula’s upbringing in the Swedish-speaking community of Pori through his attendance at Björneborgs svenska samskola exposed him to multiple perspectives within Finnish hockey culture. The school has produced several notable hockey players, suggesting the strong development environment that shaped his early career. His decision to leave Finland for North America at a young age to pursue hockey opportunities demonstrates the independence and commitment that have characterized his professional journey.
2025 Season Performance
The 2025 season marks a new chapter in Erik Haula’s career following his mid-2025 trade back to the Nashville Predators. Returning to an organization he is familiar with from his 2020-21 stint, Haula brings veteran experience and consistency to a Predators team looking to establish itself as a competitive force in the Western Conference. His three-year, $9.45 million contract extension signed with New Jersey before the trade demonstrated that teams valued his reliable two-way play and leadership qualities.
Haula’s transition back to Nashville provides him with immediate familiarity with the organization’s systems, coaching staff, and market. The Predators acquired him for Jeremy Hanzel and a fourth-round draft pick, indicating they view him as a valuable addition who can contribute immediately. His ability to play both center and wing positions gives the coaching staff flexibility in constructing lineup combinations, while his defensive reliability makes him suitable for various roles depending on game situations and opponent matchups.
The outlook for Haula and the Predators in 2025 centers on establishing consistent team performance and building chemistry within the lineup. His veteran presence in the locker room provides stability for a team seeking to develop younger players while remaining competitive. Haula’s track record of scoring 15-20 goals per season when healthy suggests he can be a reliable secondary scorer for Nashville, potentially finding chemistry with different linemates as the season progresses. His playoff experience with the Golden Knights’ deep runs adds another dimension to the Predators’ postseason aspirations.
