Former NHLer is being accused of tax fraud
Photo credit: Ilta Sanomat
A former NHLer and first-round NHL draft pick, is facing charges in his home country of Finland. Mika Noronen is facing a possible prison sentence for tax fraud.
A report released today by Ilta-Sanomat explains that former NHL goalie Mika Noro is accused of the serious crime of aggravated tax fraud. The report explained exactly what that means in Finland.
"According to the Penal Code, you can be guilty of aggravated tax fraud if you give misleading information for taxation purposes. In addition to that, the aggravated form of the act requires that the crime has been aimed at a large financial gain or that it is done in a particularly planned manner.
The charges against Mika Noronen, who became involved in the real estate industry after retiring from playing hockey, date back to 2020. Ilta Sanomat reached out to him for comment, but Noronen wasn't interested.
"I have nothing to comment at this point. I have nothing to say about that."
Being found guilty could see Mika Noronen serving anywhere from four months to four years in prison under Finnish law. A date for a trial has not yet been set.
"Satakunta's Kansa Länsi-Suomi magazine reported earlier in February that Noronen brokers luxury apartments for the wealthy in the United Arab Emirates. Noronen has not moved his life entirely abroad, but his second home is still in Tampere."
Mika Noronen's NHL career is an interesting case about a high-level prospect that didn't pan out, and it may not be entirely his fault. The Athletic called Mika Noronen's derailed career a cautionary tale about the Buffalo Sabres and three goalies.
"Buffalo flubbed its asset. With veteran Martin Biron's experience and Ryan Miller's quick ascension, Noronen was squeezed aside in a three-way goalie logjam. The Sabres kept all of them on the 2005-06 roster, refusing to trade Noronen for less than peak value.
So, for months, he rotted."
So, for months, he rotted."
Mka Noronen played a total of 71 regular season games in the NHL, mostly with the Buffalo Sabres, after being drafted by the team 21st overall in 1997. He was traded to the Vancouver Canucks for a first-round pick in 2006. Noronen played four games for the team before heading back home. From there, he played in the KHL, SHL, DEL, SM-Liiga and other hockey leagues before retiring from the sport in 2016.
In 2004, Noronen was credited with a goal during a Sabres game, making him the first Finnish born netminder to get a goal in the NHL.
Current member of the Buffalo Sabres Jeff Skinner recently became the holder of an unfortunate NHL record.
Source: Ilta Sanomat
Mika Noronen is accussed of a serious crime
Mika Noronen is accussed of a serious crime
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5 AVRIL | 110 ANSWERS Former NHLer is being accused of tax fraud Do you recall seeing Mika Noronen play in the NHL after being a first-round pick? | ||
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