EDMONTON, AB - The Edmonton Oilers have assigned defenceman Markus Niemelainen to Assat Pori of Finland's SM-Liiga to start the 2020-21 season.
Niemelainen, 22, signed a two-year entry-level contract with the Oilers on April 30 after completing his third season in the Liiga, and first with Assat, posting seven points (1G, 6A), 42 penalty minutes and a -6 plus-minus rating in 55 games.
He helped HPK capture the Liiga championship in 2018-19, his second full season in Finland's top professional league.
The 6'6", 190-pound blueliner has appeared in 147 career Liiga games, registering 15 points (3G, 12A), 74 penalty minutes and a -13 plus-minus rating. Niemaleinen also played with the OHL's Saginaw Spirit from 2015 to 2017.
A native of Kuopio, Finland, Niemelainen represented his country at the 2015 and 2016 World U18 Championship, winning a gold medal (2015) and a silver medal (2016).
Niemelainen was Edmonton's third-round selection, 63rd overall, at the 2016 NHL Draft.
RELEASE: Oilers assign Niemelainen to Assat Pori
Defenceman signed entry-level contract in April, will start 2020-21 season in Finland's SM-Liiga
