Antti Niemi, a Finnish goaltender, began his professional hockey career in his native Finland before making his way to the National Hockey League (NHL). Born on August 29, 1983, in Vantaa, Finland, Niemi's journey to the NHL was marked by perseverance and skill. He initially played in the Finnish SM-liiga, where he honed his abilities with teams such as Pelicans and later with the more prominent club, Kärpät.
Niemi's NHL career took off when he signed with the Chicago Blackhawks in 2008. Although he spent most of his first season in North America with the Rockford IceHogs, the Blackhawks' AHL affiliate, Niemi made his NHL debut during the 2008-2009 season. His performance quickly earned him a spot as a backup goaltender for the Blackhawks.
The 2009-2010 season was a turning point for Niemi. He became the starting goaltender for the Blackhawks and played a crucial role in their journey to the Stanley Cup Finals. Niemi's goaltending was instrumental in Chicago's success, and he helped lead the team to its first Stanley Cup victory in 49 years. His performance in the playoffs, including several shutouts, solidified his reputation as a reliable goaltender.
Despite his success with the Blackhawks, Niemi became a free agent after the team decided not to re-sign him due to salary cap constraints. He was quickly picked up by the San Jose Sharks, where he continued to demonstrate his skills between the pipes. Niemi spent several seasons with the Sharks, consistently providing solid goaltending and helping the team reach the playoffs multiple times.
In 2015, Niemi was traded to the Dallas Stars, where he shared goaltending duties with Kari Lehtonen. His time with the Stars was marked by ups and downs, and after two seasons, he was placed on waivers and subsequently bought out of his contract. Niemi then signed with the Pittsburgh Penguins, but his tenure there was short-lived. He was claimed off waivers by the Florida Panthers and later by the Montreal Canadiens, where he found a more stable role.
Niemi's career in the NHL concluded with the Canadiens, where he served as a backup goaltender. Throughout his time in the league, Niemi was known for his calm demeanor and ability to perform under pressure. His journey from Finland to the NHL and his role in winning the Stanley Cup with the Blackhawks remain highlights of his career.
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