Top reinforcement for HIFK - Olli Jokinen's trusted man caught!

HIFK has made a two-year contract with forward Niko Huuhtanen. Huuhtanen’s contract runs until the spring of 2028.

Huuhtanen, 22, is a familiar player to HIFK’s head coach Olli Jokinen from Jukurit during the 2022-24 seasons. During that time, Huuhtanen made his breakthrough in the Liiga, playing one hundred games in Mikkeli with a total of 36+40=76 points.

– In Finland, HIFK was the only option. When I heard that I was wanted here, I didn’t have to think twice, Huuhtanen says in HIFK’s statement.

After his seasons with Jukurit, Huuhtanen signed an NHL contract with the Tampa Bay Lightning, heading to North America, where he played 56 AHL games with 8+15=23 points. He did not play any NHL games.

– I want to return to North America and the NHL. That requires me to succeed here in the coming years. My goal is first to be worthy of the national team and to qualify for the championships, and through that, to show what I can do, Huuhtanen says.

Huuhtanen moved from North America to Switzerland during the past season. He played ten games for EHC Biel-Bienne, scoring 2+1 points.

– An extremely good power forward and a natural goal scorer. Niko has an excellent shot that he uses diligently. A character player who brings physicality, grit, and the right kind of nastiness to us, head coach Jokinen commented.

– Niko has two big years ahead of him now. The potential is enormous, and he could very well be a national team-level player again next season. I know that the man has the hunger for more, Jokinen continues.