Wirtanen played as a youth within
HPK. He made his professional debut with the club at the
SM-liiga level during the
2004–05 season. In the following season he became a Finnish champion with HPK in 2006. He was signed to a three-year, entry-level contract with the Anaheim Ducks on July 27, 2006. Wirtanen spent his first full North American season with the Ducks'
American Hockey League affiliate, the
Portland Pirates for the
2006–07 campaign. He recorded 7 goals and 18 points in 67 games. In the following season he made his NHL debut for the Ducks on October 17,
2007. Appearing in just 3 games for 1 goal. At the conclusion of his rookie contract, Wirtanen opted to return to Finland in signing a multi-year contract with
HIFK on July 28, 2009. He helped HIFK capture the Finnish Liiga title, his second, in 2011. After stints with
HC Donbass and
HC Fribourg-Gottéron, Wirtanen returned to the KHL in signing an initial two-year contract with Finnish club, Jokerit, on November 14, 2014. ==Career statistics==