The Philadelphia Flyers have added a potential new asset to their lineup, signing goaltender Eetu Mäkiniemi to a professional tryout (PTO) agreement. Mäkiniemi will join the Flyers’ training camp in Voorhees, New Jersey, next month, where he’ll be vying for a spot on the roster.

Mäkiniemi, a young and talented netminder, has spent the last two seasons with the San Jose Sharks organization. During the 2022-23 season, he made two NHL appearances, securing his first NHL win in his debut start on December 9, 2022, against the Anaheim Ducks. Despite this promising start, Mäkiniemi did not see NHL action last season, instead spending most of his time with the Sharks’ AHL affiliate, the San Jose Barracuda. He also played a few games with the Wichita Thunder, San Jose’s ECHL affiliate.

In the 2023-24 season with the Barracuda, the 25-year-old goaltender posted an 8-8-0 record, with a 3.14 goals-against average, a .900 save percentage, and three shutouts.

Originally drafted in the fourth round, 104th overall, by the Carolina Hurricanes in the 2017 NHL Draft, Mäkiniemi signed his entry-level contract with the Hurricanes in 2021. He spent a season with the AHL’s Chicago Wolves, where he was part of the team that won the Calder Cup. In July 2022, he was traded to San Jose as part of the deal that sent Brent Burns to Carolina.

Hailing from Vantaa, Finland, Mäkiniemi rose to prominence as a prospect in the Jukurit system and later showcased his skills with Ilves in the 2020-21 Liiga season. His standout performance the previous year in the Mestis league with Koovee earned him the title of the league’s best goaltender.

Securing a spot on the Flyers’ roster won’t be an easy task for Mäkiniemi. With five goaltenders already under contract, including Ivan Fedotov and Samuel Ersson, the competition will be fierce as the 2024-25 season approaches.