Playing career

Nokelainen was drafted by the New York Islanders as their first-round pick, 16th overall, in the 2004 NHL Entry Draft. He played in the SM-Liiga for SaiPa in his native Finland before Nokelainen came to North America in 2005 to play for Islanders. And before Saipa he played in Imatran Ketterä

After 12 games with the club (he scored a goal and an assist) in the 2005-06 NHL season, Petteri suffered a severe knee injury. Many thought that this injury would sideline him for the rest of the year, but the knee healed without surgery and Nokelainen had returned to finish the rest of the season with the Islanders, but his knee still needed healing and he got the surgery done.

On September 11, 2007, Nokelainen was traded to Boston for Ben Walter and a conditional 2nd round draft pick. On March 4, 2009, Nokelainen was traded by the Bruins to the Anaheim Ducks for Steve Montador.

On March 3, 2010, Nokelainen was traded to the Phoenix Coyotes in exchange for a 6th round pick in the 2010 Entry Draft. Helping the Coyotes qualify for the playoffs for the first time in 7 seasons, Petteri went scoreless in five postseason games against the Detroit Red Wings. On July 1, 2010, Nokelainen was bought-out from the remaining year of his contract by the Coyotes, releasing him as a free agent. Later that summer, Nokelainen signed a two-year contract with Jokerit of the SM-liiga. Nokelainen's season ended with a trophy, as Finland won the 2011 IIHF World Championship in Slovakia with Nokelainen scoring the game-winning goal in the final against Sweden.

After one season with Jokerit, Nokelainen returned to the Phoenix Coyotes, signing a one-year contract on May 20, 2011.

On October 23, 2011, the Montreal Canadiens acquired Nokelainen and defenceman Garrett Stafford from the Phoenix Coyotes in exchange for forward Brock Trotter and a seventh-round pick in the 2012 NHL Entry Draft.

On August 16, 2013, Nokelainen returned to Europe as a free agent and signed a one-year contract with Swedish club, Brynäs IF of the SHL.

Career statistics

Regular season and playoffs

				Regular season						Playoffs
Season	Team	League		GP	G	A	Pts	PIM		GP	G	A	Pts	PIM
2002-03	SaiPa	SM-l		2	1	0	1	2		—	—	—	—	—
2003-04	SaiPa	SM-l		40	4	4	8	16		—	—	—	—	—
2004-05	SaiPa	SM-l		52	15	5	20	34		—	—	—	—	—
2005-06	New York Islanders	NHL		15	1	1	2	4		—	—	—	—	—
2006-07	Bridgeport Sound Tigers	AHL		60	6	10	16	51		—	—	—	—	—
2007-08	Providence Bruins	AHL		8	3	5	8	4		6	4	1	5	0
2007-08	Boston Bruins	NHL		57	7	3	10	19		7	0	2	2	4
2008-09	Boston Bruins	NHL		33	0	3	3	10		—	—	—	—	—
2008-09	Anaheim Ducks	NHL		17	4	2	6	6		9	0	0	0	2
2009-10	Anaheim Ducks	NHL		50	4	7	11	21		—	—	—	—	—
2009-10	Phoenix Coyotes	NHL		17	1	1	2	6		5	0	0	0	2
2010-11	Jokerit	SM-l		46	11	16	27	116		7	2	0	2	12
2011-12	Phoenix Coyotes	NHL		5	0	1	1	0		—	—	—	—	—
2011-12	Montreal Canadiens	NHL		51	3	3	6	37		—	—	—	—	—
2012-13	Hamilton Bulldogs	AHL		17	2	2	4	21		—	—	—	—	—
2013-14	Brynäs IF	SHL		19	4	3	7	12		5	0	3	3	2
2014-15	Torpedo Nizhny Novgorod	KHL		26	7	3	10	32		—	—	—	—	—
NHL totals				245	20	21	41	103		21	0	2	2	8

International

Medal record
Representing Finland
Ice hockey
World Championships
	2011 Slovakia
World Junior Championships
	2004 Finland

Year	Team	Event	GP	G	A	Pts	PIM
2003	Finland	WJC18	6	1	0	1	6
2004	Finland	WJC18	6	5	6	11	16
2004	Finland	WJC	7	1	0	1	0
2005	Finland	WJC	6	1	4	5	2
2011	Finland	WC	9	1	1	2	8
Junior int'l totals			25	8	10	18	24
Senior int'l totals			9	1	1	2	8

[ Source: Wikipedia ]