Niclas Almari

Last updated

Niclas Almari
Born (1998-05-11) 11 May 1998 (age 25)
Espoo, Finland
Height 6 ft 1 in (185 cm)
Weight 168 lb (76 kg; 12 st 0 lb)
Position Defence
Shoots Left
Liiga team
Former teams		 Lukko
HPK
WBS Penguins
Lahti Pelicans
NHL Draft 151st overall, 2016
Pittsburgh Penguins
Playing career 2016–present

Niclas Almari (born 11 May 1998) is a Finnish professional ice hockey defenceman currently playing with Lukko of the Liiga. [1] Almari was drafted by the Pittsburgh Penguins in the fifth round, 151st overall, in the 2016 NHL Entry Draft.

Contents

Playing career

Almari played as a youth in his native Finland, within the junior programs at the Jr. A level of the Espoo Blues, Jokerit and HPK. Almari secured his first rookie playing contract with HPK on 29 April 2016. [2]

After his draft selection to the Penguins, Almari split his first professional season in 2016–17 between HPK and Mestis affiliate, LeKi. He made his professional debut on 17 September 2016, against Kärpät and later scored his first Liiga goal on 5 October 2016 against Jukurit. Almari also spent 10 games with HPK's junior club and helped contribute in winning the Jr. A SM-liiga's title. At the conclusion of the season, Almari accepted an amateur try-out with Pittsburgh's AHL affiliate, the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins on 11 April 2017. In helping his development, Almari trained with Wilkes-Barre and was a part of their extended squad into the post-season. [3]

In returning to HPK for his third season in 2018–19, Almari continued to show an upward trend in his development, appearing in 42 regular season for 5 points. In the playoffs, Almari appeared in all 18 post-season games for HPK, helping claim the Championship on 4 May 2019.

On 10 May 2019, Almari was signed to a three-year, entry-level contract with the Pittsburgh Penguins. [4]

In the final season of his entry-level contract, Almari was assigned to AHL affiliate, Wilkes-Barre before he was later reassigned on loan by Pittsburgh to close out the 2021–22 season with Lukko of the Liiga.

On 1 June 2022, Almari was signed to a two-year contract extension to remain with Lukko, having left the Penguins organization. [5]

Career statistics

Regular season and playoffs

Regular season Playoffs
Season TeamLeagueGP G A Pts PIM GPGAPtsPIM
2014–15 Espoo Blues Jr. A2644816—————
2015–16Espoo BluesJr. A120004—————
2015–16 Jokerit Jr. A272571020114
2016–17 HPK Jr. A10145010110110
2016–17 HPK Liiga 2432510—————
2016–17 LeKi Mestis 231678—————
2017–18 HPKLiiga414486—————
2017–18 LeKiMestis40112—————
2017–18 Espoo United Mestis903316—————
2017–18HPKJr. A—————521314
2017–18 Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins AHL 2000210110
2018–19HPKJr. A20112—————
2018–19 HPKLiiga421456180002
2019–20 Wilkes-Barre/Scranton PenguinsAHL5116718—————
2020–21 Lahti Pelicans Liiga28167650000
2021–22 Wilkes-Barre/Scranton PenguinsAHL131122—————
2021–22 Wheeling Nailers ECHL 60442—————
2021–22 Lukko Liiga15022670002
Liiga totals1509182734300004

International

YearTeamEventResultGPGAPtsPIM
2014 Finland U17 5th60110
Junior totals60110

Awards & honors

AwardYear
Liiga
Champion (HPK) 2019

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References

  1. ↑ "Eliteprospects.com – Niclas Almari". eliteprospects.com. Retrieved 19 September 2016.
  2. ↑ "HPK's team for next season". HPK. 29 April 2016. Retrieved 29 April 2016.
  3. ↑ "Penguins add four defenseman". Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins. 11 April 2017. Retrieved 11 April 2017.
  4. ↑ "Penguins sign defenseman Almari to three-year, entry-level contract". Pittsburgh Penguins. 10 May 2019. Retrieved 10 May 2019.
  5. ↑ "Two-year contract extension for Niclas Almari" (in Finnish). Lukko. 1 June 2022. Retrieved 1 June 2022.
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