Finland-native defenseman Veli-Matti Tiuraniemi(20) heads back home for 2021/2022 to Karpat of Liiga after four years at University Of Maine.
Never the biggest scorer through college, his best outing was as a junior, when he connected for 2 goals and 8 assists but you can hardly count the COVID interrupted 2020/2021, where he was only able to skate 14 NCAA Hockey East games for 3 points, all assists.
The 6′ 193 lbs. d-man came to the US for a single season of juniors with Dubuque Fighting Saints of the USHL and did produce 19 assists, but has to be seen as more of a stay-at-home style blue liner.
He did produce a decent amount of helpers through U18 and U20 play, so has the ability to contribute scoring.
We’ll see how the 23-year old readjusts to his home country’s play after most of 5 years away.