Kari Lehtonen

Kari Lehtonen is a Finnish goaltender on the Dallas Stars.

Lehtonen was drafted by Atlanta in 2002, 2nd overall, making him the highest drafted European goaltender in history. Lehtonen played for Jokerit in 2001-02, where he earned the starting position, and won the award given for the top goalie in the league, as well as the league MVP. He came to North America in 2003, playing in the minors for most of his first season, aside from 4 successful starts in which he recorded 4 straight wins. After the lockout, he emerged as one of the top caliber goalies in the league. In 2006-07, he started 66 games, winning 34 and recording a 2.79 GAA, helping the Thrashers reach the playoffs. Since then, he has suffered a number of injuries which have hampered his ability to perform at the level which earned him the accolades he received earlier in his career. After he missed nearly all of 2009-10 with injuries, he was traded to the Atlanta Thrashers at the 2010 trade deadline. He finished the season winning 6 of 10 starts with a 2.81 GAA, and he will be the starter for the Stars in the upcoming season.

Lehtonen won a silver medal at the 2007 World Championships.