SaiPa loses yet another one of its key players as Otto Kivenmäki, 26, moves to Sweden for the next season. Timrå IK confirmed on Friday that they have signed the forward to a two-year contract.

Timrå’s sports director Kent Norberg believes that the Finnish player’s development in recent years will continue in the SHL.

– Otto is an interesting player at a good age. He has developed tremendously in Finland over the past few years, and we absolutely believe that he can continue on the same path in Sweden. It will be exciting to follow his development in a new league, Norberg commented in the club’s press release.

For Kivenmäki, the move abroad is the first time in his career.

– For me, it’s a big step to move to Sweden and the SHL. I have had strong seasons in Finland, and I look forward to showing what I can do in such a good league as the SHL, Kivenmäki himself said in the Swedish club’s press release.

Kivenmäki was SaiPa’s second most effective player this season. In 60 regular season games, the talent scored 11+46=57 points. In the playoffs, Kivenmäki collected 11 points with 3+8=11 in 14 games.

The forward, who has represented SaiPa for three seasons, has also played in the Liiga for his youth club Ässät and for Pelicans.

Kivenmäki made his debut with the national team earlier this season.

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