Former Colorado Avalanche goalie makes a shocking and unexpected career move
Photo credit: LIIGA / Tomi Natri
Finnish goaltender Sami Aittokallio, 32, has agreed to a one-year deal with the Glasgow Clan, the Scotland-based EIHL team announced on Thursday.
Aittokallio was selected by the Colorado Avalanche in the fourth round, 107th overall, in the 2010 NHL Entry Draft.
Former Colorado Avalanche goalie makes a shocking career move.
Derek O'Brien from Yahoo Sports writes that hailing from Tampere, Finland, Aittokallio came up through the ranks of the Ilves club. Here's what he had to say after signing his deal with Glasgow.
«I've heard nothing but great things about the city, the fans, and the organization, so I'm really looking forward to getting over to Glasgow, meeting everyone, and getting started." -Aittokallio
Between 2012 and 2015, Aittokallio spent three seasons in North America within the Avalanche's organization. During that stretch, he appeared in two NHL games, recording a 3.39 goals-against average, a .884 save percentage, and one loss.
Here's what Glasgow head coach Corey Neilson had to say following Aittokallio's recent signing.
«Sami was my primary target at season's end. He's smooth and calm in his movements, recovers to his feet well, has really good hockey IQ, plays fast and has good hands. He doesn't ever really look flustered in the net. He'll look great in purple.» -Neilson
O'Brien also writes that since heading back to Europe in 2015, Aittokallio has suited up for several teams across multiple leagues, including Kärpät Oulu, Vaasan Sport, Ässät Pori, and JYP in Finland's Liiga, Sparta Prague in the Czech Extraliga, the Bietigheim Steelers in Germany's DEL, and HK Nitra in the Slovak Extraliga.
Glasgow finished in seventh place out of 10 teams in the EIHL last season.
Previously on Avalanche Insider
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