Finnish defenseman Topi Niemelä, 23, has signed a one-year contract with the Malmö Redhawks, the SHL club announced on Monday.

“Topi is a skilled defenseman who likes to contribute on offense,” said Redhawks GM Oscar Alsenfelt. “He’s really good on the power play, has a sharp first pass and good mobility on the ice. He is already at a high level in many parts of his game, but also has the potential for even more.”

At six feet and 181 lbs, Niemelä spent the past two seasons in the AHL playing in the Toronto Maple Leafs organization, but his age, Alsenfelt’s words and the fact that he signed just a one-year contract seem to indicate that the Finnish defenseman views signing in Sweden as a strategic step back in his ultimate goal of reaching the NHL, rather than a permanent return to Europe.

“We have been looking for a defenseman with Topi’s profile and skill set, and he wants to come here because he sees a strong development environment with us,” said Alsenfelt. “He wants to get better and break into the NHL – and we will help him with that.”

Niemelä is the second Finnish defenseman in the Leafs’ organization to head back to Europe this off-season after Roni Hirvonen signed with Finnish club Kärpät Oulu a week ago. 

Leafs Prospect Returns Home To Finland Finnish defenseman Roni Hirvonen, 23, has signed a one-year contract with Kärpät Oulu, the Liiga club announced on Monday.

Coincidentally, Niemelä comes from Oulu in northern Finland and played for that city’s famous Kärpät club from his childhood through his early days as a pro until he was 21. Niemelä was chosen in the third round, 64th overall, by Toronto in the 2020 NHL Entry Draft.

Niemelä has 64 points and 48 penalty minutes in 177 career Liiga games and 70 points and 65 penalty minutes in 147 career AHL games.

If Niemelä returns to North America, it remains to be seen whether it will be in the Toronto organization or elsewhere. For now, the Leafs retain his NHL rights.

Niemelä joins a Malmö team that finished 10th in the SHL regular season last year and lost in the quarterfinals. The roster so far includes ex-NHLers Janne Kuokkanen, Robin Salo, Fredrik, Händemark and goaltender Marek Langhamer. It also includes prospects Eemil Viro (Detroit Red Wings) and Lauri Pajuniemi (New York Rangers).

Photo © David Kirouac-Imagn Images: Topi Niemelä playing for the Toronto Maple Leafs in the 2023 pre-season. 

Ex-NHL D-Man Moves From Czechia To Sweden Czech defenseman Michal Kempný, 34, has signed a one-year contract with Brynäs IF, the Gävle-based SHL club announced on Friday.