Yahoo Sports Oilers Big and Bruising Prospect Moves On
EDMONTON -- Not every prospect pans out.
That's an unfortunate fact of development that the Edmonton Oilers are all-too familiar with. Sometimes the blame lies with the organization. Other times. the player feels like it's time to move on and go elsewhere.
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That appears to be the case with the latest Oilers' prospect to seek greener pastures. Markus Niemelainen appears to be on the move.
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According to a Twitter report from Jim Matheson, Niemelainen is heading overseas. In the tweet he says, "defence man Markus Niemelainen, who showed his big-time hitting ability in 20 Oiler games but spent most of his time on (the) farm in Bakersfield, has moved on to Eisbaren Berlin in Germany."
Defence man Markus Niemelainen, who showed his big-time hitting ability in 20 Oiler games but spent most of his time on farm in Bakersfield, has moved on to Eisbaren Berlin in Germany.
— Jim Matheson (@jimmathesonnhl) September 12, 2024
The deal was announced by the team yesterday morning around 9:00 AM mountain time. The Eisbaren Berlin Polar Bears signed Niemelainen and forward Maxim Schafer.
In the team press release, Sports Director Stephane Richer of the Polar Bears had this to say about Niemelainen, "Markus Niemelainen is an experienced defender who has made it to the NHL. He is tall and physically strong. Markus also contributes well to the offense. As a Finn, he is already familiar with the larger ice surface and European ice hockey."
Niemelainen played 43 total NHL games between the 2021-22 and 2022-23 seasons. In those 43 games he threw 143 hits, an average of 3.33 hits per game. Over those two years he ranks fifth among all Oilers defensemen in hits.
Sergei Belski-USA TODAY Sports
It's very clear that the 6-foot-5, 200 lbs left-handed defender isn't afraid to use his body to his advantage. Hopefully he can continue a fulfilling career playing in Germany.
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