Antti Niemi

Antti Niemi is a Finnish goalie on the San Jose Sharks.

Niemi was undrafted, but played three impressive seasons in the Finnish SM-liiga with Pelicans. In his first two seasons, he won only 30 games in 88 appearances, despite posting respectable GAA in both seasons. In 2007-08, however, he won 26 games and posted a 2.35 GAA, earning him the attention of NHL scouts. He signed with Chicago in 2008, and appeared in 3 games during the ’08-09 season, while spending most of the season in the AHL, where he won 18 games in 38 appearances. In 2009, he made the roster as the backup to Cristobal Huet, recording his first NHL shutout in his home country against the Florida Panthers. He played his way into the starting role with a very good rookie year, going 26-7 with a 2.25 GAA. He then won 16 games in the 2010 playoffs to become just the 3rd goalie to win the Stanley Cup in his rookie season. Despite his amazing success, the Blackhawks could not afford to re-sign him, and he was permitted to walk as a free agent. He signed with the San Jose Sharks during the 2010 offseason.