HPK made a splash: 10 player contracts signed - four new acquisitions

HPK announced a staggering number of new player contracts on Friday evening. The young star goalkeeper Kim Saarinen, Anrei Hakulinen, and Garret Pyke will continue with the team in Hämeenlinna next season.

HPK also states that they have exercised the options for next season included in the contracts of Vili Alitalo, Akseli Ketonen, and Eerik Wallenius.

New players joining the team on one-year contracts are Brendan Ranford, Connor MacEachern, Ethan De Jong, and Rasmus Tallqvist on a two-year contract.

Canadian forward Ranford, 33, has played five seasons in the AHL, three seasons in the DEL league, and four seasons in the top league of Slovakia. In the 2025–26 season with Vlci Zilina, Ranford recorded 51 points (19+32) in 51 regular season games and 2+3 in six playoff games.

– Brendan is a very cunning and intelligent player who brings power play expertise, problem-solving ability, and experience from North American and European leagues to our team. He has produced well wherever he has played and has been a very popular personality in every locker room, says Jukka Voutilainen, responsible for player scouting at HPK, opening up Ranford’s player profile.

Canadian forward MacEachern is moving to Hämeenlinna from Mora IK. The 26-year-old MacEachern has played in AHL and ECHL leagues in addition to college hockey, most recently in the HockeyAllsvenskan last year. The forward, who signed a one-year contract with the club, was his team’s top scorer last season, achieving 14+23 points in 41 games.

– Connor is a very mobile, versatile center forward whose development has progressed year by year. He brings reliable two-way play, puck skills, and problem-solving ability in special situations to our team. In the 2025–2026 season, Connor was nominated for the MVP of the entire HockeyAllsvenskan, Voutilainen reports.

Ethan De Jong is also arriving at the club from Mora IK. The 26-year-old Canadian forward played four seasons of college hockey, winning a championship in spring 2023, after which he played in AHL and ECHL leagues for two seasons. In the 2025–2026 season, De Jong scored 17 goals and also collected 17 assists. Together with MacEachern, they were the players with the most shots on their team.

– Ethan is a very versatile, highly mobile, and hardworking player who can also score goals. He is a reliable player with excellent game intensity. He has also played a significant role in winning the NCAA championship at Quinnipiac University.

Tallqvist, 21, is coming to the club from HIFK’s U20 team. Last season, Tallqvist scored 27 goals and 19 assists in 42 U20 SM league games, winning the team’s internal scoring race by a wide margin and finishing fourth in the league’s scoring list.

– Rasmus is a large, very mobile, and skillful forward who knows how to score goals. We saw a lot of untapped potential in him and believe he can take the next step at HPK, Voutilainen says.