Leevi Meriläinen Bio
Leevi Meriläinen is a Finnish professional ice hockey goaltender for the Ottawa Senators of the National Hockey League (NHL). Born on 13 August 2002 in Oulu, Finland, he plays the position of goaltender and stands 188 cm tall while competing at 81 kg. He previously played with Oulun Kärpät in Finland’s top-tier Liiga and at the major junior level with the Kingston Frontenacs of the Ontario Hockey League (OHL).
Meriläinen was selected 71st overall in the third round of the 2020 NHL entry draft by the Ottawa Senators and made his North American professional debut in April 2023. He signed a one-year contract extension with Ottawa on 1 July 2025 worth $1.05 million, keeping him with the club through the 2025–26 season.
Early Life and Background
Leevi Meriläinen was born on 13 August 2002 in Oulu, a city in northern Finland known for its strong ice hockey tradition. Growing up in Oulu, he was exposed to the sport at a young age through the local hockey culture and the presence of Oulun Kärpät, one of the country’s most successful professional clubs. The city’s youth development system provided him with an early foundation in goaltending.
He progressed through the junior ranks in Oulu and joined Oulun Kärpät’s development program, where he established himself as a promising young goaltender. During the 2020–21 season, he played 22 games with Kärpät’s under-20 team and posted an impressive .934 save percentage, drawing the attention of NHL scouts. His strong play in Finland’s junior system helped set the stage for his transition to North American hockey.
Path to Hockey
Following his standout junior season with Kärpät, Meriläinen was selected 71st overall by the Ottawa Senators in the third round of the 2020 NHL entry draft. He was named a second-team All-Star in his junior league that year, but Kärpät indicated they planned to pursue a more veteran presence in goal, which led Meriläinen to explore opportunities abroad. On 14 June 2021, he signed a three-year entry-level contract with the Ottawa Senators.
Shortly after signing, the Senators arranged for Meriläinen to join the Kingston Frontenacs of the Ontario Hockey League for the 2021–22 season, as the Frontenacs had selected him in the Canadian Hockey League Import Draft. He experienced mixed results in the OHL, becoming one of the league leaders in wins and saves but posting a sub-.900 save percentage with a 3.29 goals-against average. Despite the uneven numbers, the season gave him valuable North American experience.
Leevi Meriläinen Career
Early Career (2021–2023)
After the conclusion of the OHL season, Meriläinen returned to Finland and rejoined Oulun Kärpät for the 2022–23 Liiga season. He quickly established himself as the team’s starting goaltender and posted a 2.02 goals-against average along with a .918 save percentage. That season he set the Liiga record for most shutouts by a rookie with eight, a mark that highlighted his rapid development.
However, Meriläinen suffered an injury late in the season and missed the playoffs, during which Kärpät were eliminated. His strong regular-season performance in Liiga, combined with his earlier success in junior hockey, helped him earn an invitation to Ottawa’s professional ranks once his Finnish campaign concluded.
NHL Debut and AHL Development (2023–2024)
Following the end of Kärpät’s 2022–23 season, Meriläinen returned to North America and joined Ottawa’s American Hockey League affiliate, the Belleville Senators. He played his first game on 2 April 2023 against the Toronto Marlies, posting a 41-save shutout in his debut. He was quickly recalled by Ottawa after goaltender Mads Søgaard fell ill, and he made his NHL debut on 4 April 2023 against the Carolina Hurricanes, recording 34 saves in a 3–2 overtime loss.
Meriläinen was invited to Ottawa’s training camp in 2023 but was assigned to Ottawa’s ECHL affiliate, the Allen Americans, to start the 2023–24 season. He split the year between Allen and Belleville, playing 13 games with Allen, where he went 9–4–0 with a .926 save percentage and a 2.97 goals-against average, and 24 games with Belleville, where he posted a 10–9–1 record with a .906 save percentage. He also made one appearance in the 2024 Calder Cup playoffs against the Toronto Marlies.
Ottawa Senators Era (2024–Present)
Meriläinen was assigned to Belleville to begin the 2024–25 season, but he was recalled to Ottawa on 15 December 2024 after Anton Forsberg was injured. He started his third NHL game on 21 December 2024 against the Vancouver Canucks and earned his first NHL victory. On 11 January 2025, he recorded his first NHL shutout in a 5–0 win over the Pittsburgh Penguins, a milestone that confirmed his growth at the top level.
Days later, after allowing a goal from Alex Ovechkin in a 1–0 overtime loss to the Washington Capitals, Meriläinen became the 179th unique goaltender to surrender a goal to Ovechkin, setting the NHL record for most unique goaltenders scored against by a single player. He signed a one-year, $1.05 million contract extension with Ottawa on 1 July 2025, cementing his role within the Senators’ goaltending plans.
Driving Style and Strengths
Meriläinen plays a composed, technically sound goaltending style built on positioning, patience, and strong rebound control. He has shown the ability to log heavy shot volumes and respond with high save percentages, most notably during his record-setting rookie season in Liiga. His comfort handling pucks and tracking plays through traffic has made him a reliable option for Ottawa.
Notable Events and Milestones
Among Meriläinen’s signature moments are his Liiga rookie shutout record of eight, his NHL debut shutout in Belleville with 41 saves, his first NHL victory in December 2024 against Vancouver, and his first NHL shutout in January 2025 against Pittsburgh. His role in Ovechkin’s record-setting goal list added an unusual footnote to his early NHL career.
Leevi Meriläinen Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
Public information about Leevi Meriläinen’s family background is limited, and detailed records about his parents or relatives have not been widely reported.
Personal Life
Meriläinen resides in North America as a member of the Ottawa Senators organization. Details about his marital status, spouse, or children have not been publicly confirmed.
2025 Season Performance
Meriläinen began the 2025–26 season with the Ottawa Senators following his July 2025 contract extension, providing depth in the team’s goaltending group. His earlier 2024–25 NHL appearances, including his first win and first shutout, gave him momentum heading into the new campaign. With Ottawa investing in his development, he is expected to compete for additional starts throughout the year.
His mixed AHL and ECHL split during 2023–24 helped prepare him for the rigors of NHL competition, and his record-setting rookie year in Liiga underscored his ceiling as a prospect. As the 2025–26 season progresses, Meriläinen’s role within the Senators’ goaltending tandem will be a key storyline to follow. His continued growth and ability to handle NHL shot volumes will determine how quickly he becomes a full-time starter in Ottawa.