Niklas Kokko is changing clubs.
Kokko played as Noorten Leijoni’s first baseman in the World Championships at the turn of the year. PDO
SM league club Oulun Kärpät has canceled the goalkeeper’s contract Niklas Kokon with, Kärpät says on his Instagram account.
19-year-old Kokko immediately found a new club in the SM league. Lahti Pelicans announced on Tuesday that Kokko will join the club for the rest of the season on a loan agreement.
Last May, the Finnish goalkeeper signed a three-year rookie NHL contract with Seattle Krake, but continued to represent the Kärppi within the loan agreement.
In the current season, Kokko played ten league matches in Kärpi with a save percentage of 90.64. In addition, he represented the Young Lions team in the under-20 World Championships played at the turn of the year.
– Basically, running everyday with three goalkeepers is not a good thing for any party, so now we have to give up one goalkeeper.
– Niklas Kokko is a young goalkeeper who needs playing time. It’s better for us to free him up so that he can continue his development and move forward in his career, says Kärppie’s sports director Mikko Myllykoski.