TEMPE, ARIZONA - JANUARY 22: Juuso Valimaki #4 of the Arizona Coyotes celebrates after scoring a goal against the Pittsburgh Penguins during the second period of the NHL game at Mullett Arena on January 22, 2024 in Tempe, Arizona. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
(Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
SALT LAKE CITY – After a busy two days in Las Vegas at the NHL Draft, the Utah Hockey Club announced that they signed defenseman Juuso Valimaki to a two-year contract.
Valimaki has been a solid contributor for the Arizona Coyotes over the last two seasons.
✍️ SIGNED ✍️
We have signed defenseman Juuso Valimaki to a two-year contract!
🔗 | https://t.co/Bf2WTKZXp5#UtahHC pic.twitter.com/xWdXz82oiZ
— Utah Hockey Club (@utahhockeyclub) June 29, 2024
The Finland native started his hockey career in the Finland U16 league and stayed in his home country’s league for three years.
Once he turned 18, Valimaki moved to the United States to join the WHL.
He played with the Tri-City Americans for three seasons before getting selected with the 16th pick by the Calgary Flames in the 2017 NHL Draft.
Valimaki played with Calgary for three seasons before moving on to Arizona in 2022.
.@utahhockeyclub signs Juuso Valimaki to a two-year deal.
“We are looking forward to having Juuso return to our team for a third season.” – Utah GM Bill Armstrong on Valimaki#UtahHC #NHL
📷: Getty Images pic.twitter.com/RwnxYnX0EI— KSL Sports (@kslsports) June 29, 2024
In the 2022-23 season, Valimaki posted 34 points with four goals and 30 assists.
Last season, he played in 10 fewer games and recorded 17 points with two goals and 15 assists.
Despite the statistical regression, Valimaki is a key part of the team’s defense and has become a beloved member of the group.
Utah Hockey Club general manager Bill Armstrong spoke highly of Valimaki and his contributions.
“We are looking forward to having Juuso return to our team for a third season,” Armstrong said. “He is a big, strong, two-way defenseman who has been a great addition to our defensive group over the past two seasons.”
Chandler Holt is a co-host of the Jazz Notes podcast, a Locals In The NFL Insider, and Digital Sports Producer for KSLSports.com. Follow Chandler on Twitter @ChandlerHoltKSL or on Threads @chandlerho1t.
