When you look at the depth of goaltenders populating the Detroit Red Wings prospect list, it’s hard to recall that not so long ago, the team was so desperate for netminding help that they signed Jussi Olkinuora.
Among the many failed European free agent experiments that Detroit GM Steve Yzerman has concocted, Olkinuora was among the more disastrous.
Looking for goaltending depth in the summer of 2022, Yzerman inked Finnish netminder Olkinuora to a one-year contract. Assigned to the AHL Grand Rapids Griffins, Olkinuora was less than stellar. He saw action in 15 games, posting a 6-8-0 record with one shutout. Olkinuora’s goals-against average was 3.75, and his save percentage .868.
At midseason, Olkinuora requested his release. The Red Wings willingly granted it. He would finish out the 2022-23 campaign playing for Brynas of Sweden’s SHL.
It was the beginning of a vagabond journey for the veteran puckstopper.
New Home For One-Time Red Wings Hopeful
Since leaving the Detroit organization, Olkinuora has played for six teams in three different countries.
Now, Olkinuora is on the move yet again. He’s left German club Dresdner Eislöwen to return home to Finland. He’s joining Pelicans Lahti. Olkinuora, 35, previously played for Pelicans in 2023-24 and in 2018-19.
“The feelings are really excited,” Olkinuora said in a statement on the club’s website. “Returning to Lahti brings back a lot of good memories.
“The upcoming season is exciting. There is a lot at stake, and in Lahti, the puck means a lot.”
Olkinuora does own a resume of major successes on the international stage. He was Finland’s goalie for gold medal wins at the IIHF World Championship in 2019 and 2022. Olkinuora also won a gold medal with the Finns at the 2022 Winter Olympic Games.
“He has won big things at the international level in his career and knows what success requires in everyday life,” Lahti Sports Director Jarkko Oikarinen said in a statement.
“We believe that his professionalism and competitiveness will raise the standard of the entire team.”