10th year net minder Sami Aittokallio(31) maybe had a bit of an off-season with Sport in 2018/2019 but gets right to it and signs with league rivals Assat for 2019/2020.
The upcoming campaign will be his 6th in his home country’s Liiga after twice leaving initially for draft club Colorado Avalanche, who he was under contract with for four years but was loaned to Karpat upon being given an extension.
He would be left unqualified heading into 2016/2017, but was likely already set being playing hockey at home, so it mattered little.
The decently sized goaltender would leave again signing for a season with HC Sparta Praha of Tipsport Czech Extraliga but after a so-so playoff performance headed back to Finland.
At only 26-years old he may look around to see what else is out there but could be all set to stay especially if he’s at the top of his game.
Sami Aittokallio (30)
Colorado Avalanche 4th round pick in the 2010 draft (#107 overall), Finnish rookie net minder Sami Aittokallio(30) got his first crack at an NHL start for a team that is out of the playoff picture in this lockout shortened season.
He performed well only allowing a pair of goals on 25 shots in two periods before having to be relieved in the third with muscle cramps he was suffering due to dehydration.
The Avalanche ended up losing the game 3-2 in the shootout.
In 26 appearances for AHL affliate Lake Erie Monsters, he has a 14-11-1 record with a 2.89 GAA and .903 SV%.
At 20-years old, the parent club believes he could be their starting goalie of the future, signing him to a 3-year entry level deal that runs through 2015.
The 6’1″ 180 lbs. backstop could be their answer between the pipes.
They need one as they ended up signing three goaltender prospects on one day in the offseason.
He performed nicely in the last couple of years as a teenager in Finland’s elite league, SM-liiga, so if he can stay on course he could be their guy.