Markus Niemeläinen

Markus Niemeläinen (born 8 June 1998) is a Finnish professional ice hockey defenceman who currently plays for Eisbären Berlin in the Deutsche Eishockey Liga (DEL). He previously played for the Edmonton Oilers of the National Hockey League (NHL). He was selected by the Oilers in the third round, 63rd overall, of the 2016 NHL entry draft.

Playing career

Niemeläinen began playing hockey in the junior teams of HPK and Tappara in his native Finland. He was then drafted to play for the Saginaw Spirit of the Ontario Hockey League in 2015 where he posted 26 assists in his first season. He was drafted 63rd overall by the Edmonton Oilers in the 2016 NHL entry draft but was not signed to a contract and after a second season in Saginaw, Niemeläinen rejoined HPK in 2017.

On 30 April 2020, Niemeläinen signed a two-year entry-level contract with the Edmonton Oilers of the National Hockey League.

On September 12, 2024, Niemeläinen signed a one-year contract with Eisbären Berlin of the Deutsche Eishockey Liga (DEL).

Career statistics Regular season and playoffs Regular season Playoffs Season Team League GP G A Pts PIM GP G A Pts PIM 2014–15 HPK Jr. A 39 2 14 16 28 12 0 5 5 4 2015–16 Saginaw Spirit OHL 65 1 26 27 28 4 0 0 0 0 2016–17 Saginaw Spirit OHL 59 3 6 9 40 — — — — — 2017–18 HPK Liiga 42 1 2 3 24 — — — — — 2017–18 LeKi Mestis 1 0 0 0 0 — — — — — 2017–18 HPK Jr. A — — — — — 5 0 0 0 2 2018–19 HPK Liiga 50 1 4 5 8 18 0 2 2 4 2019–20 Ässät Liiga 55 1 6 7 42 — — — — — 2020–21 Ässät Liiga 14 0 3 3 35 — — — — — 2020–21 Bakersfield Condors AHL 21 2 4 6 6 — — — — — 2021–22 Bakersfield Condors AHL 34 2 6 8 12 3 0 0 0 0 2021–22 Edmonton Oilers NHL 20 0 1 1 4 — — — — — 2022–23 Edmonton Oilers NHL 23 0 0 0 4 — — — — — 2022–23 Bakersfield Condors AHL 30 2 5 7 18 2 0 0 0 0 2023–24 Bakersfield Condors AHL 35 1 4 5 18 2 0 0 0 0 2024–25 Eisbären Berlin DEL 40 1 6 7 35 3 0 0 0 4 Liiga totals 161 3 16 19 109 18 0 2 2 4 NHL totals 43 0 1 1 8 — — — — — DEL totals 40 1 6 7 35 3 0 0 0 4

International Year Team Event Result GP G A Pts PIM 2014 Finland U17 4th 6 1 0 1 2 2015 Finland U18 7 0 0 0 0 2016 Finland U18 7 0 1 1 6 Junior totals 20 1 1 2 8

Awards & honors Award Year Liiga Champion (HPK) 2019 DEL Champion (Eisbären Berlin) 2025, 2026