Teemu Kivihalme

Teemu Kivihalme (born June 17, 1995) is an American-Finnish professional ice hockey defenseman who is currently playing with HC TPS of the Finnish Liiga. He was selected by the Nashville Predators in the fifth round, 140th overall, of the 2013 NHL Entry Draft.

Teemu Kivihalme
Born (1995-06-17) June 17, 1995
Cloquet, Minnesota, U.S.
Height 6 ft 0 in (183 cm)
Weight 181 lb (82 kg; 12 st 13 lb)
Position Defenseman
Shoots Left
Liiga team
Former teams		 HC TPS
Oulun Kärpät
NHL Draft 140th overall, 2013
Nashville Predators
Playing career 2017–present

Playing career

Kivihalme played junior hockey with the Fargo Force of the United States Hockey League (USHL) when he was selected in the fifth round, 140th overall, of the 2013 NHL Entry Draft by the Nashville Predators. Committing to a collegiate career with Colorado College, Kivihalme played three seasons with the Tigers from 2014 to 2017, totalling 36 points in 107 NCAA games.

Un-signed from the Predators, Kivihalme returned to his Finnish roots, in beginning his professional career with Oulun Kärpät of the Finnish Liiga. In the 2017–18 season, Kivihalme quickly established himself as a regular on the blueline for the contending Kärpät. He scored 4 goals and 20 points in 44 games, and appeared in each post-season contest in helping capture the Liiga championship.

In 60 games during the 2018–19 season, Kivihalme built upon his rookie year in recording 9 goals and 21 assists for 30 points, which ranked ninth among Liiga defencemen in scoring. He contributed with 9 points in 16 playoff games in helping Oulu return to the Liiga Championship finals.

On May 7, 2019, Kivihalme gained NHL interest and was signed to a one-year, entry-level contract with the Toronto Maple Leafs.[1]

On August 8, 2022, Kivihalme signed a one-year contract with HC TPS of the Finnish Liiga for the following 22-23 season.[2]

Personal life

Kivihalme was born in the United States to a Finnish father, Janne Kivihalme, and an American mother, Shanda Christie, and is a dual citizen of Finland and the US. His father played collegiate hockey with the University of Wisconsin–Superior.[3][4]

Career statistics

Regular season and playoffs
Regular season Playoffs
Season Team League GP G A Pts PIM GP G A Pts PIM
2010–11 Burnsville High USHS 25 3 11 14 12 2 0 0 0 0
2011–12 Burnsville High USHS 25 8 21 29 25 3 1 1 2 0
2012–13 Burnsville High USHS 25 9 21 30 22 3 0 1 1 2
2012–13 Fargo Force USHL 4 0 1 1 0 — — — — —
2013–14 Fargo Force USHL 47 3 9 12 12 — — — — —
2014–15 Colorado College NCHC 35 5 6 11 10 — — — — —
2015–16 Colorado College NCHC 36 3 12 15 28 — — — — —
2016–17 Colorado College NCHC 36 2 8 10 56 — — — — —
2017–18 Oulun Kärpät Liiga 44 4 16 20 18 18 0 0 0 20
2018–19 Oulun Kärpät Liiga 60 9 21 30 18 16 4 5 9 6
2019–20 Toronto Marlies AHL 55 4 14 18 26 — — — — —
2020–21 Toronto Marlies AHL 20 6 5 11 14 — — — — —
2021–22 Toronto Marlies AHL 32 1 6 7 16 — — — — —
Liiga totals 104 13 37 50 36 34 4 5 9 26

International
Year Team Event Result GP G A Pts PIM
2012 United States IH18 7th 4 0 0 0 0
Junior totals 4 0 0 0 0

Awards & honors
Award Year
Liiga
Kanada-malja (Oulun Kärpät) 2018

References
  1. "Maple Leafs sign Teemu Kivihalme to entry-level contract". Toronto Maple Leafs. 2019-05-07. Retrieved 2019-05-07.
  2. "Teemu Kivihalme TPS:n puolustukseen". HC TPS. 2022-08-08. Retrieved 2022-11-21.
  3. Sager, Neate (June 12, 2013). "NHL draft tracker: Teemu Kivihalme, Burnsville Blaze". Yahoo Sports. Retrieved November 18, 2018.
  4. Tammilehto, Teemu (July 1, 2013). "Kaksitoista suomalaista sai NHL-varauksen – Ikonen jäi ilman varausta". Yle (in Finnish). Retrieved November 18, 2018.
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