Kari Lehtonen (born
November 16, 1983 in
Helsinki,
Finland) is a
Finnish professional
ice hockey goaltender for the
Atlanta Thrashers of the
National Hockey League. He was selected 2nd overall in the 2002 NHL Entry Draft by the Thrashers, becoming the highest-drafted European goaltender as well as the highest Finnish player ever in NHL history.
Kari Lehtonen was drafted second overall in the 2002 NHL Entry Draft by the Atlanta Thrashers after an outstanding 01/02 season in the Finnish SM-Liiga. Lehtonen was the backup goalie for Jokerit but captured the starting position and won the Urpo Ylönen trophy, given to the best goalie of the season, and the league's playoff MVP award, Jari Kurri trophy. Lehtonen stayed with Jokerit for one more season before crossing the sea.
The 2003–04 NHL season Lehtonen mostly spent with the Chicago Wolves, Thrashers' AHL affiliate, but he was called up for a number of occasions and played four games for the Thrashers, winning all four of them and posting one shutout. After posting a .953 save percentage and 1.25 GAA, Lehtonen spent the majority of the year in the AHL.
Lehtonen spent the 2004–05 NHL lockout season with the Wolves, adjusting to the North-American playing style. After he playing 57 games for the Wolves, of which he won 38, posting .929 save pct and 2.27 GAA, the Thrashers called him up and Lehtonen started the 2005–06 season as the starting goalie for Atlanta. On opening night of the 2005–2006 season, Lehtonen suffered a serious groin injury when Florida Panthers center Nathan Horton collided with Lehtonen. The injury sidelined him for 35 games. Lehtonen was once again injured on April 6, 2006 when Tampa Bay Lightning forward Chris Dingman collided with him. Lehtonen tried to get to his feet but sprained his ankle in the process.
