Finnish center Topi Rönni, who recently signed as a free agent with Liiga club Vaasan Sport, has agreed to part ways with the club after the signing drew intense criticism from the Finnish public and media.

Rönni, an emerging prospect with Tappara and a second-round draft pick of the Calgary Flames in 2022, was convicted of rape in a Finnish court in March 2024 and given a one-year suspended sentence for an incident that occurred in 2021, when the player was a minor.

Both Tappara and Calgary severed ties with Rönni after the conviction. He played the 2024-25 season in Slovakia with HK Dukla Michalovce.

Since April 12, when Vaasan Sport announced announced it had signed the now 20-year-old Rönni to a two-year contract, the criticism has been relentless. Based on statements from Rönni and the club, the decision to terminate the contract seems to stem from pressure from club sponsors and investors, which would greatly affect the club’s financial viability if they chose to leave.

“I have requested the termination of the contract so that the team can prepare for the upcoming hockey season in peace,” Rönni is quoted in the club’s announcement. “The club and the club’s community are always bigger than an individual player and I did not want to cause any harm to Vaasan Sport and its partners. I still regret my actions and the suffering it caused to the victim. I have received and suffered my sentence before the law, and have given my face and name to the public. I sincerely hope that one day I can still be a full member of the Finnish hockey community.”

“When we assessed the significance of the punishment suffered by Topi Rönni when making the contract, we came to the conclusion that he has credibly regretted his actions, apologized to the victim and publicly, talked to a psychologist and tried to reconcile his actions,” said club CEO Jonne Kemppainen. “At the same time, we kept in mind the principle prevailing in Finnish society in the discussions, according to which a person must have the opportunity to receive equal treatment after serving a punishment. We wanted to give the young hockey player the opportunity to continue and develop in his profession.”

Rönni had 11 points in 64 Liiga games for Tappara and HPK before taking a leave of absence in 2023 while his case was being investigated. He had 29 points in 48 regular-season and playoff games for Michalovce in the Slovak Extraliga last season.

Internationally, Rönni played for Finland in the 2022 IIHF U-18 World Championship and at the 2023 World Junior Championship. 

Vaasan Sport finished 11th in the 16-team Liiga in 2024-25 and, after winning a play-in series, was swept by Lukko Rauma in the quarterfinals.

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