Massachusetts Hockey's Niinisaari Signs With SaiPa

AMHERST, Mass. – University of Massachusetts hockey defenseman Samuli Niinisaari has signed with SaiPa in the Finnish Liiga, the club announced recently. Ninnisaari, a native of Hamina, Finland, joins former Minuteman goaltender Filip Lindberg on the roster for the upcoming campaign.

Ninnisaari spent the final season of his collegiate eligibility at Massachusetts as a graduate student and appeared in 27 games and registered 12 points on three goals and nine assists including a game-winner. Nine of his 12 points game in Hockey East play (2g, 7a) nad he finished second on the team on team with 54 blocks.

Prior to coming to UMass, Niinisaari put up 24 points on two goals and 22 assists and was a Second Team All-Ivy selection in 2021-22 after logging 12 points (1g, 11a) over 29 games in four years at Brown. The two-time Academic All-Ivy honoree skated in all 30 games in his final season with the Bears and registered eight assists and 67 blocked shots.

While Brown's season was canceled in 2020-21 due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Niinisaari played in 20 games with Titaanit of Suomi-sarja and had 15 points (3g, 12a).

Scoreboard

Players Mentioned

Filip Lindberg

Samuli Niinisaari

Scoreboard

University of Massachusets Athletics