Player news from the league club - signed a veteran with over 500 matches, goalkeeper on loan to the Suomi series

HPK has signed a contract extension for the remainder of the season with defender Samuli Piipponen, 33.

Piipponen joined the Hämeenlinna club at the beginning of October on a one-month contract. The experienced defender managed to impress the HPK management with his performances, and now the collaboration continues until the end of the 2026–2027 season.

Piipponen has played ten games for HPK, recording two assists. His average ice time has risen to over 17 minutes per game.

– Samuli has proven to be extremely valuable to our team, so it was clear that we wanted to extend the contract. He plays at a high level night after night and brings valuable experience and leadership to our team, explains Jukka Voutilainen, responsible for player scouting at HPK, in the club’s announcement.

Piipponen has over 500 Liiga games under his belt. He won the Finnish championship with Lukko in the spring of 2021 and has also represented SaiPa, Jukurit, Sport, and Ässät at the top level.

At the same time, HPK announced that goalkeeper Max Väyrynen will be loaned to the Suomi-sarja team Järvenpään Haukat. HPK has the right to recall Väyrynen to their team if necessary. The goalkeeper has been training with the Hämeenlinna team during the national team break.

Väyrynen, 24, has not played any Liiga games this season. He has played in the current season in the Suomi-sarja for Kalajoen JHT on loan, recording a save percentage of 94.0 in the six games he has played.