Antti Niemi is a Finnish professional ice hockey goaltender who has had a successful career in the National Hockey League (NHL). He began his professional career in Finland, playing for several teams in the Finnish Elite League before making the move to North America.
Niemi signed with the Chicago Blackhawks in 2008 and quickly became a key player for the team. He helped lead the Blackhawks to their first Stanley Cup championship in 49 years in 2010, earning the Conn Smythe Trophy as the most valuable player of the playoffs. Niemi's performance in the playoffs was outstanding, as he posted a 16-6 record with a 2.63 goals against average and a .910 save percentage.
After the championship season, Niemi became a free agent and signed with the San Jose Sharks. He played for the Sharks for three seasons, helping the team reach the playoffs each year. Niemi's performance in the playoffs was solid, but the Sharks were unable to advance past the conference finals during his tenure with the team.
In 2015, Niemi was traded to the Dallas Stars, where he played for two seasons. He had a strong first season with the team, posting a 25-13-7 record with a 2.67 goals against average and a .905 save percentage. However, his performance declined in his second season with the team, and he was eventually traded to the Pittsburgh Penguins.
Niemi played for the Penguins for just a few months before being waived and picked up by the Florida Panthers. He played in just two games for the Panthers before being released at the end of the season.
Overall, Niemi had a successful career in the NHL, posting a record of 243-140-55 with a 2.49 goals against average and a .912 save percentage. He was known for his calm demeanor and ability to make big saves in key moments. Despite his success, Niemi never became a superstar in the league, but he was a reliable goaltender who could be counted on to give his team a chance to win every night.
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