Saginaw Spirit Add to Blueline Corps in CHL Import Draft

Published on June 30, 2015 under Ontario Hockey League (OHL)
Saginaw Spirit News Release

The Saginaw Spirit used the 18th overall pick in the 2015 CHL Import Draft to select Markus Niemelainen from Finland to add to the team's blueline ranks. The 1998 birth year defenseman comes to the Spirit with considerable international playing experience having represented his home country at the World Under 17 Challenge in Sarnia, Ontario and at the 2015 Under 18 World Championship in Switzerland, where Finland took home the Silver Medal. The Spirit's Evan Cormier and MitchellStephens also medaled at the April event with Canada finishing as the Bronze Medal winning country.

Niemelainen, who is eligible for the 2016 NHL Draft in Buffalo, is a native of Kuopio, Finland and skated with HPK Hameenlinna this past season.

Markus Niemelainen: Defense

Height: 6'4

Weight: 180 pounds

NHL: Available for 2016 NHL Draft

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Ontario Hockey League Stories from June 30, 2015

• Saginaw Spirit Add to Blueline Corps in CHL Import Draft - Saginaw Spirit
• Colts Add Finnish Centerman in 2015 Import Draft - Barrie Colts
• Battalion Goes Abroad for Kislinger, Kovacs - North Bay Battalion
• Firebirds Select Red Wings Draft Pick Saarijarvi and Kantner in CHL Import Draft - Flint Firebirds
• 2015 Canadian Hockey League Import Draft Results Announced - OHL
• 67's Sign Giant D-Man Falkovsky, Bring Back Tyanulin in European Draft - Ottawa 67's
• Steelheads Draft 12th and 72nd in 2015 CHL Import Draft - Brampton Steelheads
• Leafs Select Korostelev 185th Overall - Sarnia Sting
• Knights Draft Juolevi & Bernhardt in 2015 CHL Import Draft - London Knights
• Oshawa Generals Select Mischa Moor in the Second Round of the CHL Import Draft - Oshawa Generals
• Bulldogs Select Two at CHL Import Draft - Brantford Bulldogs
• Storm Select Vladislav Barulin in 2nd Round of CHL Import Draft - Guelph Storm
• Storm Select Timo Haussener in 1st Round of CHL Import Draft - Guelph Storm
• Sting Select Patrik Laine & Louis Latta - Sarnia Sting
• Spits Add Sergachev & Kromp in Import Draft - Windsor Spitfires
• Erie Selects Jakob Mayenschein with Second Pick at Import Draft - Erie Otters
• Oshawa Generals Select Lukas Lofquist in the 2015 CHL Import Draft - Oshawa Generals
• Attack Acquire Sterk from Knights - Owen Sound Attack
• F Makar Tokarev Selected by Hounds in CHL Import Draft - Soo Greyhounds
• IceDogs Select David Kase in First Round of 2015 CHL Import Draft - Niagara IceDogs
• Otters Take Cernak in First Round of Import Draft - Erie Otters
• Steelheads Select Alexander Nylander 12th Overall In - Brampton Steelheads
• Wolves Select Russian Forward in CHL Import Draft - Sudbury Wolves
• Petes Select Jonne Tammela in 2015 CHL Import Draft - Peterborough Petes
• Knights Trade Sterk to Attack - London Knights

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