Thu 9 Jul 2026 - 7:00PM

PANTHERS SIGN FINNISH FORWARD MIIKKA PITKÄNEN

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Finnish forward Miikka Pitkänen has joined the Nottingham Panthers for the 2026/27 season.

The 30-year-old arrives in Nottingham with extensive experience in the Liiga - the top level of ice hockey in Finland.

Pitkänen made his debut for his hometown club KalPa as a teenager and has since spent 11 seasons in the Liiga.

In his first full season as pro, Pitkänen won the silver medal in the Liiga's playoffs as KalPa were beaten by four games to two in their seven-game series with Tappara.

Also icing for Jukurit, the forward has scored 186 points (72+114) in 392 matches in Finland's top tier.

He's spent the past two-and-a-half seasons in Sweden's HockeyAllsvenskan with Södertälje SK, scoring 21 goals and adding 33 assists for 54 points in 83 games.

Pitkänen has also played 16 times in the Champions Hockey League across four seasons - three with Kalpa and one with Jukurit.

"This is a great opportunity for me to be part of a great organisation and a great hockey team," Pitkänen said.

"After speaking with Danny and Omar, right away I had a good feeling about the Panthers.

"When I put the phone down my wife said to me 'you look so happy now' and this is a great sign. I am coming to Nottingham to win."

Pitkänen won the gold medal at the Winter Youth Olympic Games in Innsbruck, Austria in 2012 as Finland beat Russia 2-1 in the final which went to a shootout.

"That was such a special experience," said Pitkänen. "It was special to be part of the national team and the tournament was amazing.

"Winning there with such a great group guys was amazing and the pictures from it still bring back great memories. It was fun."

Panthers Head Coach, Danny Stewart, said: "Miikka is a very experienced signing for us. He’s played in the Liiga for many years and had really good numbers for that level.

"He’s very skilled, has a great hockey IQ and brings the work ethic with it. He can both set plays up and be a shooter when he needs to be.

"He’s got great vision and will certainly be a threat for us next season."

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