Markus Niemeläinen

Markus Niemeläinen
Niemeläinen in 2024
Born (1998-06-08) 8 June 1998 (age 26)
Kuopio, Finland
Height 6 ft 6 in (198 cm)
Weight 190 lb (86 kg; 13 st 8 lb)
Position Defence
Shoots Left
DEL team
Former teams		 Eisbären Berlin
HPK
Ässät
Edmonton Oilers
NHL draft 63rd overall, 2016
Edmonton Oilers
Playing career 2017–present

Markus Niemeläinen (born 8 June 1998) is a Finnish professional ice hockey defenceman who currently plays for Eisbären Berlin in the Deutsche Eishockey Liga (DEL). He previously played for the Edmonton Oilers of the National Hockey League (NHL). He was selected by the Oilers in the third round, 63rd overall, of the 2016 NHL Entry Draft.

Playing career

Niemeläinen began playing hockey in the junior teams of HPK and Tappara in his native Finland. He was then drafted to play for the Saginaw Spirit of the Ontario Hockey League in 2015 where he posted 26 assists in his first season.[1] He was drafted 63rd overall by the Edmonton Oilers in the 2016 NHL Entry Draft but was not signed to a contract and after a second season in Saginaw, Niemeläinen rejoined HPK in 2017.[2]

On 30 April 2020, Niemeläinen signed a two-year entry-level contract with the Edmonton Oilers of the National Hockey League[3]

On September 12, 2024, Niemeläinen signed a one-year contract with Eisbären Berlin of the Deutsche Eishockey Liga (DEL).[4]

Career statistics

Regular season and playoffs

Regular season Playoffs
Season Team League GP G A Pts PIM GP G A Pts PIM
2014–15 HPK Jr. A 39 2 14 16 28 12 0 5 5 4
2015–16 Saginaw Spirit OHL 65 1 26 27 28 4 0 0 0 0
2016–17 Saginaw Spirit OHL 59 3 6 9 40 — — — — —
2017–18 HPK Liiga 42 1 2 3 24 — — — — —
2017–18 LeKi Mestis 1 0 0 0 0 — — — — —
2017–18 HPK Jr. A — — — — — 5 0 0 0 2
2018–19 HPK Liiga 50 1 4 5 8 18 0 2 2 4
2019–20 Ässät Liiga 55 1 6 7 42 — — — — —
2020–21 Ässät Liiga 14 0 3 3 35 — — — — —
2020–21 Bakersfield Condors AHL 21 2 4 6 6 — — — — —
2021–22 Bakersfield Condors AHL 34 2 6 8 12 3 0 0 0 0
2021–22 Edmonton Oilers NHL 20 0 1 1 4 — — — — —
2022–23 Edmonton Oilers NHL 23 0 0 0 4 — — — — —
2022–23 Bakersfield Condors AHL 30 2 5 7 18 2 0 0 0 0
2023–24 Bakersfield Condors AHL 35 1 4 5 18 2 0 0 0 0
Liiga totals 161 3 16 19 109 18 0 2 2 4
NHL totals 43 0 1 1 8 — — — — —
Medal record
Representing  Finland
Ice hockey
World U18 Championships
Gold medal – first place 2016 United States
Silver medal – second place 2015 Switzerland

International

Year Team Event Result GP G A Pts PIM
2014 Finland U17 4th 6 1 0 1 2
2015 Finland U18 2nd place, silver medalist(s) 7 0 0 0 0
2016 Finland U18 1st place, gold medalist(s) 7 0 1 1 6
Junior totals 20 1 1 2 8

Awards & honors

Award Year
Liiga
Champion (HPK) 2019

References

  1. ^ Boylen, Rory (20 June 2016). "Prospect of Interest: The 411 on Markus Niemelainen". sportsnet.ca.
  2. ^ Matheson, Jim (11 July 2017). "Edmonton Oilers prospect Markus Niemelainen to play in Finland next season". Edmonton Journal. Retrieved 5 February 2019.
  3. ^ "RELEASE: Oilers sign Niemelainen to entry-level contract". Edmonton Oilers. 30 April 2020. Retrieved 5 May 2020.
  4. ^ "Ex-Oilers defenseman signs with Eisbären Berlin". The Hockey News. 12 September 2024. Retrieved 13 September 2024.
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