OTTAWA — The Ottawa Senators have signed Finnish defenceman Nikolas Matinpalo to a one-year, entry-level contract.
The 24-year-old spent the 2022-23 season with Assat Pori of the Finnish Elite League. He was tied for second among team defencemen in scoring with 16 points (seven goals, nine assists) in 51 games.
Matinpalo added four assists over eight post-season contests.
The undrafted native of Espoo, Finland, represented his country internationally for the first time at the 2023 world hockey championship.
“Nikolas’ signing represents a good depth addition for us on defence,” Senators general manager Pierre Dorion said Thursday in a release. “He took a big step this past season in improving his overall game in a short period of time.
"He has size, reach and an active stick. He’s also a very good puck mover who competes and plays with urgency which has helped him become a reliable defender.”
This report by The Canadian Press was first published May 25, 2023.
The Canadian Press