Seems like ex-Canucks winger Virtanen has found a home in Slovakia

It’s been five years since Jake Virtanen last played an NHL game.

The 29-year-old former Vancouver Canucks winger has bounced around since then, playing in Russia, Switzerland, Germany, and Slovakia.

Virtanen played one season with Moscow Spartak in the KHL, scoring 16 points in 36 games in 2021-22, before leaving the league after Russia began its war in Ukraine. The next season, the Abbotsford native played with Visp EHC in the Swiss second division, scoring 25 points in 21 games before the team cancelled his contract after a reported altercation with a teammate during a game.

Virtanen played a couple of unspectacular seasons in Germany’s top league before moving to Slovakia this season.

Finally, it seems, Virtanen has found a fit.

Virtanen has thrived with Michalovce Dukla HC, scoring 55 points in 53 games during the regular season, and tallying an additional 20 points in 11 playoff games. His regular-season numbers ranked him second in the league in goals (30), fifth in points (55), and fourth in penalty minutes (87).

Rather than using this season as a jumping-off point to a better league, Virtanen seems content to stay in a place where he had success.

Virtanen has signed a contract extension with Michalovce, keeping him in Slovakia for the 2026-27 season. He explained why in a media release published by the team.

“I’m looking forward to the future… I’m staying in Michalovce,” Virtanen said. “I’ve had offers. But sometimes you don’t need to take unnecessary steps when you’re doing well. I’ve enjoyed this season. I feel unfinished business.”

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