Antti-Jussi Niemi

Antti-Jussi Jormanpoika Niemi (born 22 September 1977) is a Finnish former professional ice hockey player. Niemi played for Jokerit of the SM-liiga, the Mighty Ducks of Anaheim in the National Hockey League, HC Lada Togliatti in the Kontinental Hockey League, and Västra Frölunda HC and Leksands IF of the Swedish Elitserien.

Professional career Niemi began his professional career with Jokerit of the SM-liiga. His play attracted the attention of the Ottawa Senators of the National Hockey League, who drafted him in the fourth round of the 1996 NHL Entry Draft, 81st overall. In June 1999, the Senators traded his NHL rights to the Mighty Ducks of Anaheim, along with Ted Donato for Patrick Lalime.

Niemi moved to North America in 2000 to continue his professional career. Niemi played two years in the Mighty Ducks organization, mostly with their minor league Cincinnati Mighty Ducks team, but was called up to Anaheim for a total of 29 games.

Niemi returned to Finland and returned to Jokerit for the 2002–03 season. After one season, Niemi transferred to Frölunda HC of Sweden, where he played five seasons, including the 2005 Elitserien championship. The 2008–09 season was split between HC Lada Togliatti of the Kontinental Hockey League and Leksands IF of the Swedish league.

In 2009, Niemi returned to Finland and Jokerit. He played five more seasons with Jokerit to finish his career, retiring in 2014. In total, Niemi won two SM-liiga gold medals with Jokerit.

Niemi was a member of the Finnish national team at several World Championships, as well as the 2006 Winter Olympics. He was a member of the 2006 silver medal team.

Career statistics Regular season and playoffs

International

Year Team Event GP G A Pts PIM 1995 Finland EJC 5 0 1 1 7 1996 Finland WJC 6 3 1 4 43 1997 Finland WJC 6 0 2 2 8 1998 Finland WC 9 0 0 0 6 1999 Finland WC 12 1 1 2 8 2000 Finland WC 9 0 0 0 0 2001 Finland WC 9 0 1 1 10 2004 Finland WC 7 1 2 3 4 2005 Finland WC 7 2 0 2 4 2006 Finland OG 8 0 0 0 2 2008 Finland WC 9 0 1 1 28 Junior totals 17 3 4 7 58 Senior totals 70 4 5 9 62