Former Canadiens goalie Antti Niemi has a new team.
Jokerit of the Finnish Elite League announced Wednesday that it has signed the 35-year-old Niemi to a one-year deal. The Finnish goaltender struggled with the Canadiens this season, posting an 8-6-2 record with a 3.78 goals-against average and an .887 save percentage. He had an 0-3-1 record in his last four games while allowing 14 goals and sat out the Canadiens’ last 14 games as they pushed to make the playoffs, coming up two points short with Carey Price carrying the load in goal.
“Antti is the partner that I respected the most out of all the partners that I’ve had,” Price said after the season. “Just the way he carried himself this whole season. He’s a guy that’s a champion and I have the utmost respect for Antti.”
Canadiens general manager Marc Bergevin confirmed after the season that he wouldn’t be bringing Niemi back. Niemi will turn 36 on Aug. 29.
Jokerit finished 14th in the 15-team Finnish Elite League standings this season.
Copyright Postmedia Network Inc., 2019
