Niko Hovinen
 | This article includes a list of references, related reading, or external links, but its sources remain unclear because it lacks inline citations. (April 2009) |
| Niko Hovinen | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Born |
March 16, 1988 Helsinki, Finland | ||
| Height | 6 ft 7 in (201 cm) | ||
| Weight | 200 lb (91 kg; 14 st 4 lb) | ||
| Position | Goaltender | ||
| Catches | Left | ||
| NHL team (P) Cur. team Former teams |
Philadelphia Flyers Pelicans (SM-liiga) Jokerit | ||
| National team |
 Finland | ||
| NHL draft |
132nd overall, 2006 Minnesota Wild | ||
| Playing career | 2005–present | ||
| Medal record | ||
|---|---|---|
| Representing Finland
| ||
| Ice hockey | ||
| World Championships | ||
 |
2011 Slovakia | |
Niko Hovinen (born March 16, 1988) is a Finnish professional ice hockey goaltender who currently plays for the Pelicans of the SM-liiga.
Playing career
Jokerit (2005–2008)
Niko Hovinen's SM-liiga career started during the 2005-06 season when Hovinen dressed for a single regular-season Jokerit game as backup to Joonas Hallikainen, after Tim Thomas abruptly left the team only a day before the start of the 2005–06 regular season. Hovinen returned to the junior team for the rest of the season. He made his first SM-liiga start on November 23, 2006, against SaiPa, again called up when three Jokerit goaltenders were injured.
During the 2007–08 season, Hovinen served as backup to Jussi Markkanen. Hovinen was relegated to no. 3 goaltender when Jokerit acquired Joni Puurula from SaiPa just before the end of regular season. Hovinen dressed up to serve as backup for Joni Puurula in several games during the 2007–08 playoffs as Jussi Markkanen got himself injured during the first game of playoffs.
Pelicans (2008–current)
During the off-season of 2007–08 SM-liiga season, Niko Hovinen was contracted to Pelicans. For the first time, Niko Hovinen will play outside of Jokerit-organization in 2008-09 season.
A tall goaltender at 196 cm, Hovinen covers the net very well and is considered a highly promising goaltender prospect.[citation needed]
Hovinen was ranked #10 on the International Scouting Service's list of goaltender prospects for the 2006 NHL Entry Draft. He was drafted in the fifth round, 132nd overall, by the Minnesota Wild.
NHL Philadelphia Flyers (2011)
Hovinen signed a two-year entry level contract with the National Hockey League's Philadelphia Flyers on May 17, 2011.[1] He will remain with the Pelicans through the 2011–12 season.[2]
Career statistics
Regular season
| Season | Team | League | GP | W | L | T | MIN | GA | SO | GAA | Sv% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2005–06 | Jokerit | SM-liiga | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- |
| 2006–07 | Jokerit | SM-liiga | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 59.56 | 4 | 0 | 4.00 | 87.1% |
| 2007–08 | Jokerit | SM-liiga | 4 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 60.00 | 12 | 0 | 5.78 | 83.3% |
| 2008–09 | Pelicans | SM-liiga | 21 | 7 | 12 | 1 | 1110.00 | 12 | 2 | 2.92 | 89.6% |
| 2009–10 | Pelicans | SM-liiga | 18 | 5 | 7 | 3 | 944.00 | 47 | 1 | 2.99 | 91.4% |
| SM-liiga Totals | 44 | 12 | 20 | 5 | 2173.56 | 75 | 3 | 2.25 | 87.8% | ||
References
- ^ "Flyers sign (G) Hivonen". philadelphiaflyers.com. 2011-05-17. Retrieved 2011-05-17.
- ^ Sarah Baicker (2011-05-17). "Flyers sign goalie Hovinen to entry-level contract". CSNPhilly.com. Retrieved 2011-05-17.
His Finnish team, in a press release, said he will remain with them through the duration of next season.