NHL-drafted Finnish defenseman found a new team in Liiga: "The best games are definitely still ahead"

Ässät has made a contract with defender Petteri Nurmi that extends until November 3rd. It includes the club’s option for the end of the season as well as a separate club option for the 2026-27 season.

Nurmi, 23, played 25 games last season with HPK, scoring 1+9, one game with Sport, and four games with HIFK, scoring 0+1. In his Liiga career, he has played 196 games (5+41=46), mainly representing HPK.

– Nurmi moves well on skates and has strong skills for offensive play. His best games are certainly still ahead, and I believe that his best performance will support the efficiency of the line, commented Ässät’s sports director Jarno Kultanen in the club’s press release.

Nurmi has a long injury behind him, from which he has now recovered. Ässät’s head coach Jarno Pikkarainen is familiar to him from HPK.

– He has had a period affected by injuries, so we will take our time to build his playing condition. Petteri’s arrival also gives us support regarding the number of defenders during busy game schedules and in case of possible absences, Kultanen states.

Nurmi is a 7th round draft pick (#194) of the Montreal Canadiens from 2022. He won a silver medal with the U18 Lions in 2022.