Antti Saarela Explained

Birth Date:2001 6, df=yes
Birth Place:Laitila, Finland
Height Ft:5
Height In:11
Weight Lb:183
Position:Winger
Shoots:Left
Team:Chicago Blackhawks
League:NHL
Prospect Team:Lukko
Prospect League:Liiga
Former Teams:Ilves
Draft:123rd overall
Draft Year:2019
Draft Team:Chicago Blackhawks
Career Start:2018

Antti Saarela (born June 27, 2001) is a Finnish professional ice hockey winger currently playing with Lukko in the Liiga on loan as a prospect for the Chicago Blackhawks in the National Hockey League (NHL). He was drafted 123rd overall by the Blackhawks in the 2019 NHL Entry Draft.[1]

Playing career

Saarela made his Liiga debut for Lukko, playing one game during the 2017–18 Liiga season. He followed up by playing in twenty-four regular season games for Lukko during the 2018–19 Liiga season, scoring two goals and eight assists for ten points.[2] [3] On April 3, 2019, Saarela signed an optional three-year contract for fellow Liiga club, Ilves.[4]

At the conclusion of his contract with Ilves, Saarela returned to his original club, Lukko, agreeing to a one-year contract on 30 April 2022.[5]

Following the conclusion of the 2022–23 season with Lukko, Saarela was signed by the Chicago Blackhawks to a two-year, entry-level contract on 28 March 2023.[6]

In the 2023–24 season, Saarela moved to North America and played exclusively with the Blackhawks AHL affiliate, the Rockford IceHogs. With the campaign blighted with injury, he posted 5 goals and 6 points through just 27 appearances.

On 18 July 2024, Saarela was loaned by the Blackhawks to return to former club Lukko of the Liiga to continue his development for the 2024–25 season.[7]

Personal

His father, Pasi Saarela, was a professional hockey player who enjoyed a lengthy career in the SM-liiga, most notably as a star player for local club, Lukko.[8] Antti was also coached through his junior career by Pasi at Lukko. His older brother Aleksi is also a professional hockey player currently playing with the Florida Panthers in the National Hockey League.

Career statistics

Regular season and playoffs

Team League GP GPG A Pts PIM
2017–18LukkoJr. A2569156
2017–18LukkoLiiga10000
2018–19LukkoJr. A21781532
2018–19LukkoLiiga2428102040000
2019–20IlvesLiiga40481212
2020–21IlvesLiiga4777145150334
2021–22IlvesLiiga371271924
2022–23LukkoLiiga41711181062022
2023–24Rockford IceHogsAHL2751611
Liiga totals190324173117152356

International

YearTeamEventResultGPGAPtsPIM
2017FinlandU176th52244
2018FinlandHG187th30 002
2019FinlandU187th51236
2020FinlandWJC4th70006
Junior totals 2034718

Notes and References

  1. Web site: 2019 NHL Draft: Blackhawks select Antti Saarela with No. 123 pick in 4th round . secondcityhockey.com . 22 June 2019 . 22 June 2019.
  2. http://www.eurohockey.com/player/582153-antti-saarela.html Antti Saarela profile - eurohockey.com
  3. Web site: Antti Saarela player profile . . Finnish . 4 November 2019 . 4 November 2019.
  4. Web site: Ilvekselle kuusi uutta pelaajasopimusta . Finnish . 3 April 2019 . 3 April 2019 . Ilves.
  5. Web site: Antti Saarela returns to blue and yellow . . 30 April 2022 . 4 January 2023 . Finnish.
  6. Web site: Blackhawks sign Saarela to entry-level contract . . 28 March 2023 . 28 March 2023 .
  7. Web site: Chicago Blackhawks loan Antti Saarela to the blue and yellows . . 18 July 2024 . 18 July 2024 . Finnish .
  8. Web site: Pasi Saarela player profile . eliteprospects.com . 23 March 2020 . 23 March 2020.