Breaking: Leafs sign star Finnish defenseman to a one year contract

The Toronto Maple Leafs have officially signed free agent defenseman Teemu Kivihalme to a one year, entry level contract.

The 23 year old Finn put up nine goals and 30 points in 60 games for Karpat of Finland’s Liiga in 2018-19. Most scouts consider him one of the top European players currently NOT playing in the NHL, so it’s possible that the Leafs have uncovered a gem in Kivihalme.

For more info, read the official press release of this transaction courtesy of the Leafs’ website: 

The Toronto Maple Leafs announced today that the hockey club has signed defenceman Teemu Kivihalme to a one-year entry level contract for the 2019-20 season. 

Kivihalme, 23, spent the 2018-19 season with Karpat of Finland's Liiga. In 60 games during the 2018-19 season, Kivihalme recorded nine goals and 21 assists for 30 points, which ranked ninth among Liiga defencemen in scoring. He added nine points (4 goals, 5 assists) in 16 playoff games, which was the third highest point total among Liiga defencemen in the postseason. In Champions League play during 2018-19, Kivihalme recorded five points (2-3-5) in 10 games. Over two Liiga seasons, Kivihalme recorded 50 points (13 goals, 37 assists) in 104 career games, while adding nine points (4 goals, 5 assists) in 34 playoff games, capturing the Liiga championship in 2017-18 and collecting a silver medal in 2018-19. 

Kivihalme was originally selected by the Nashville Predators in the fifth round (140th overall) of the 2013 NHL Draft. Prior to joining Karpat, he played at Colorado College (NCAA) for three seasons, recording 36 points (10 goals, 26 assists) in 107 career NCAA games.