Disgraced former Calgary Flames prospect finds new team after conviction
For the 2024-25 season, Topi Ronni, a former Calgary Flames prospect who was cut by the team after being found guilty of a serious charge, has found a new job.
Topi Ronni, who the Calgary Flames selected with the 59th overall pick in the second round of the 2022 NHL Entry Draft, has found a new job after both the NHL franchise and his Finnish Elite League team fired him due to his se*ual assault conviction.
Ronni was charged with assault in 2021 after an incident, for which he was sentenced to one year in prison back in March. Ronni's sentence was suspended, pending her compliance with all of the terms imposed by the court. HK Dukla Michalovce in the Slovak Extraliga is where Ronni has found a place despite being cut by two other teams.
"Of course we are aware that Topi made a mistake a few years ago for which he was punished. Our club decided to give him a helping hand and give him a second chance, which we hope he will use and prove his hockey qualities."
Dukla Michalovce made sure in its announcement to play up the fact that the Slovak Extraliga rarely gets talent drafted so high in the NHL.
"It's not every day that we get young players who were drafted by NHL clubs in the 2nd round. Topi already showed how much he wants to play for us last season when he was with his family in Michalovce during the playoffs and watched our team to find out as much information about the club as possible."
Ronni, who is 20, is a centre who played for Finland at the World Juniors in 2023. He failed to hit the scoresheet in five games at the tournament.
Source: Ilta-Sanomat
Topi Rönni found a new employer - "We are aware that Topi made a mistake"
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