University of Massachusetts hockey will welcome 6-1, 187-pound left-shot defensemen Samuli Niinisaari to its 2023-24 roster as a graduate transfer from Brown, UMass head coach Greg Carvel announced.
Niinisaari, a native of Hamina, Finland, is the 10th newcomer the Minutemen have added this offseason, joining freshmen forwards Bo Cosman, Dans Locmelis, Jack Musa, Cameron O'Neill, Aydar Suniev and Nicholas VanTassell, defenseman Sebastian Törnqvist and goaltenders Michael Hrabal and Jackson Irving.
"Sami is going to add a dimension we were missing from last year's team," said Carvel. "A big, steady, hard defensive presence that can shut down opponent's top lines, kill penalties, block shots and get your team out of the defensive zone. Sami is a high character young man who has the potential to bring offense as well, but will most be looked to provide leadership for what will be a relatively young team. Sami served as an assistant captain at Brown last year and we are excited to bring his experience and his brand of play into our program."
Over four years at Brown, Niinisaari put up 24 points on two goals and 22 assists and was a Second Team All-Ivy selection in 2021-22 after logging 12 points (1g, 11a) over 29 games. The two-time Academic All-Ivy honoree skated in all 30 games in his final season with the Bears and registered eight assists and 67 blocked shots.
While Brown's season was canceled in 2020-21 due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Niinisaari played in 20 games with Titaanit of Suomi-sarja and had 15 points (3g, 12a).
Prior to beginning his collegiate hockey career Niinisaari spent the 2018-19 campaign with the Lincoln Stars of the United States Hockey League (USHL) and contributed seven goals and 13 assists en route to the team's MVP award and Most Likely to Succeed honor. He previously played for KooKoo in Finland where he served as team captain in 2017-18 and finished with 16 assists and 20 points that season.