EDMONTON, AB - The Oilers have signed defenceman Markus Niemelainen to a two-year contract extension with an average annual value (AAV) of $762,000. The first year of the contract (2022-23) is a two-way deal, while the second year (2023-24) is a one-way deal.
Niemelainen, 23, has appeared in 20 games with the Oilers this season, posting one assist, averaging 13:12 time on ice and leading the team in hits per 60 minutes among defencemen at 18.64.
He played his first NHL game on Dec. 1, 2021 against the Pittsburgh Penguins.
The 6-foot-6, 190-pound blueliner has also played 23 games with the American Hockey League's Bakersfield Condors this season, posting two goals and five assists. The Kuopio, Finland native has recorded four goals and nine assists in 44 career AHL games over the past two seasons.
Niemelainen was drafted by Edmonton in the third round (63rd overall) in 2016.
RELEASE: Oilers sign Niemelainen to two-year extension
Defenceman agrees to terms on a new contract, two-way deal in 2022-23 followed by one-way deal in 2023-24
© Andy Devlin/Getty Images
