Eetu Mäkiniemi Bio
Eetu Mäkiniemi is a Finnish professional ice hockey goaltender currently playing for HC TPS in the Liiga, the top professional league in Finland. Born on 19 April 1999 in Vantaa, Finland, he was drafted 104th overall by the Carolina Hurricanes in the fourth round of the 2017 NHL Entry Draft. Standing 188 cm tall and weighing 83 kg, Mäkiniemi has built his career through steady development in European junior leagues, the Finnish professional ranks, and the North American minor and top leagues. His career commenced in 2018, and he has continued to progress through both the National Hockey League (NHL) and the Liiga.
Early Life and Background
Eetu Mäkiniemi was born on 19 April 1999 in Vantaa, Finland, a city located just north of Helsinki that has produced several notable Finnish hockey players. Growing up in Finland, he was exposed to ice hockey from a young age, a common path for young athletes in a country where the sport holds deep cultural significance. As a youth, Mäkiniemi played minor hockey for Kiekko-Vantaa, his local club, where he developed his foundational goaltending skills.
His progression through the Finnish hockey system continued when he moved on to junior hockey with Jokerit, one of the country’s most respected hockey organizations. With Jokerit U20 during the 2016–17 and 2017–18 seasons, Mäkiniemi competed in the Junior Club World Cup (JCWC), gaining valuable international experience against top European talent. These formative years in competitive junior hockey helped shape his professional approach and prepared him for the next stage of his career.
Path to Hockey
Mäkiniemi’s path to professional hockey began with his selection in the 2017 NHL Entry Draft, where the Carolina Hurricanes chose him 104th overall in the fourth round. At the time, he was still developing as a junior prospect with Jokerit, and the draft selection affirmed his potential as a future professional goaltender. Following the draft, he continued to refine his game in Finnish hockey circles.
For the 2018–19 Mestis season, Mäkiniemi was transferred to Kiekko-Vantaa, where he played in Finland’s second-tier professional league. His time there was interrupted by a hip injury, which limited his appearances and tested his resilience early in his career. In April 2019, Ilves of the Liiga signed Mäkiniemi to a two-year contract with a one-year extension option, marking his entry into top-flight Finnish professional hockey.
Eetu Mäkiniemi Career
Early Career (2018-2021)
Mäkiniemi’s early professional career began with Kiekko-Vantaa in the Mestis during the 2018–19 season, though a hip injury cut his time short and forced him to focus on rehabilitation. His move to Ilves in April 2019 represented a significant step up, joining one of the traditional Liiga clubs. He made his Liiga debut on 28 December 2019 in a 2–1 win against KooKoo, a milestone that signaled his arrival at the top level of Finnish hockey.
Continuing his development with Ilves, Mäkiniemi recorded his first Liiga shutout on 28 November 2020 against KalPa, stopping all 24 shots he faced. That performance demonstrated his ability to handle pressure and deliver in key moments. His progress in the Liiga attracted the attention of the Carolina Hurricanes, the organization that had originally drafted him, setting the stage for his transition to North American professional hockey.
NHL and AHL Breakthrough (2021-2023)
On 1 May 2021, the Carolina Hurricanes signed Mäkiniemi to a two-year, entry-level contract, officially beginning his North American professional career. He was assigned to the Chicago Wolves, the Hurricanes’ American Hockey League (AHL) affiliate, where he made an immediate impact. In his first 14 appearances for the Wolves, he posted an impressive 11–2–1 record with a .922 save percentage and two shutouts, allowing two goals or fewer nine times. His AHL debut featured a standout 41-save performance at Milwaukee on 22 October 2021, earning a 3–2 win and announcing his arrival as a rising goaltending prospect.
On 13 July 2022, Mäkiniemi was traded, along with Steven Lorentz and a third-round pick in the 2023 NHL Entry Draft, to the San Jose Sharks in exchange for Brent Burns and Lane Pederson. Shortly after, on 7 December 2022, he made his NHL debut in a 6–5 overtime loss to the Vancouver Canucks, fulfilling a lifelong goal of playing at the highest level. In June 2023, he re-signed with the Sharks on a one-year contract, continuing his role within the organization as he worked to solidify his place in the league.
HC TPS Era (2025-Present)
Following the conclusion of his contract with the San Jose Sharks, Mäkiniemi left as a free agent and remained unsigned through the summer. On 30 August 2024, he accepted an invitation to attend the Philadelphia Flyers training camp for the 2024–25 season on a professional tryout, later agreeing to a one-year contract on 24 September. His time with the Flyers organization provided another chapter in his North American journey.
On 11 June 2025, Mäkiniemi signed a one-year contract with HC TPS, returning to Finnish hockey and rejoining the club where he had begun his senior career. The move brought him back to the Liiga, where he continues to compete at a high level. His return to TPS reflects a full-circle moment in his professional trajectory, combining his Finnish roots with the experience he has gained internationally.
Driving Style and Strengths
As a goaltender, Mäkiniemi has demonstrated consistency, poise, and strong rebound control throughout his career. His early AHL statistics with the Chicago Wolves, including a .922 save percentage and frequent low-goal performances, highlighted his ability to maintain focus and deliver in high-pressure situations. His international experience, from the Junior Club World Cup to the NHL, has contributed to a well-rounded technical and mental approach to the position.
Notable Events and Milestones
Among Mäkiniemi’s signature career moments are his 2017 NHL Draft selection by the Carolina Hurricanes, his first Liiga shutout in November 2020, his AHL debut 41-save performance in October 2021, and his NHL debut with the San Jose Sharks in December 2022. His involvement in the trade that sent Brent Burns to Carolina also marked him as a notable prospect within the Hurricanes organization.
Eetu Mäkiniemi Career Wins
Throughout his professional career, Eetu Mäkiniemi has accumulated wins across multiple leagues, including the Mestis, Liiga, AHL, and NHL. His most documented stretch of victories came during the 2021–22 AHL season with the Chicago Wolves, where his 11 wins in 14 appearances established him as a dependable starter. Additional wins in the Liiga with Ilves and HC TPS have contributed to his overall professional record.
Liiga and AHL Highlights
In the Liiga, Mäkiniemi’s first win came on 28 December 2019 against KooKoo, and he added his first shutout on 28 November 2020 against KalPa. In the AHL, his standout 2021–22 season with the Chicago Wolves included an 11–2–1 record, a .922 save percentage, and a memorable 41-save debut win over Milwaukee. His NHL debut with the Sharks on 7 December 2022 represented the highest level of his career to date.
Other Wins and Performances
Beyond his top-level performances, Mäkiniemi posted wins in the Mestis with Kiekko-Vantaa during the 2018–19 season, despite missing time due to injury. His return to HC TPS in June 2025 positions him for continued success in the Liiga, where he aims to build on his international experience.
Eetu Mäkiniemi Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
Details about Eetu Mäkiniemi’s family background, including parents and any family members involved in hockey, are not publicly documented in available sources. His hometown of Vantaa, Finland, is part of a broader Finnish hockey community that has produced numerous professional players.
Personal Life
Public information about Eetu Mäkiniemi’s personal life, including marital status, spouse, and children, is not currently available. He has focused publicly on his professional hockey career, having played for clubs in Finland and North America since 2018.
2025 Season Performance
The 2025 season marks Eetu Mäkiniemi’s return to the Liiga after several years in North America. On 11 June 2025, he signed a one-year contract with HC TPS, the club where he began his professional career, signaling a renewed commitment to Finnish hockey. His return comes after a professional tryout with the Philadelphia Flyers and a one-year contract signed in September 2024, providing him with fresh motivation and a familiar environment.
At HC TPS, Mäkiniemi is expected to play a key role in the team’s goaltending rotation as the 2025–26 Liiga season progresses. His experience at the NHL and AHL levels, combined with his prior familiarity with the TPS organization, positions him as a reliable presence in net. Throughout the season, he will look to build on his previous Liiga performances, including his debut win against KooKoo and his first shutout against KalPa.
Looking ahead, Mäkiniemi’s outlook for the remainder of 2025 and beyond will depend on his consistency and health. With a strong technical foundation and international experience, he remains a goaltender with significant potential as he continues his career in Finnish professional hockey.