Antero Niittymäki ( ; born June 18, 1980) is a Finnish professional ice hockey goaltender. Currently a member of the Tampa Bay Lightning, he has played the majority of his career for the Philadelphia Flyers of the National Hockey League (NHL). He has previously played in the SM-liiga and the American Hockey League. He was the first goalie to score an overtime goal in North American pro-hockey history. At the 2006 Winter Olympics, while playing for team Finland, he was voted the MVP of the entire ice hockey tournament.

Playing career

SM-liiga (TPS)

From 1995 to 2002, Niittymäki played for TPS in the SM-liiga (Finnish elite league). In 1999 he started playing in the non-junior SM-liiga. In 2000 he won the Jarmo Wasama memorial trophy for Rookie of the Year, and led TPS to their second straight SM-liiga championship.

Niittymäki was the Philadelphia Flyers' 7th round pick (168th overall) in the 1998 NHL Entry Draft. "I didn't even know I got drafted. I found out the next morning. I was really surprised," he said in an interview in November, 2003. Even if he would have opted to come immediately to the United States to play hockey, compulsory military service kept Niittymäki in Finland until January, 2001.

AHL (Philadelphia Phantoms)

From 2002 to 2005, Niittymäki played for the Flyers in the NHL and the Philadelphia Phantoms, the Flyers' American Hockey League affiliate. While in the AHL, Niittymäki made his name known. He was named the Sher-Wood AHL Player of the Week for the week ending on November 16, 2003 after posting a 0.41 GAA and .984 SP. He played for PlanetUSA in the 2005 AHL All-Star Game. The Phantoms organization gave out Antero Niittymäki bobbleheads on February 27, 2005 and Niittymäki figurines on March 3, 2006.

Niittymäki scored a game-winning, empty net, overtime, shorthanded, unassisted goal on April 11, 2004 versus the Hershey Bears. The game ended 3–2, with Niittymäki recording 32 saves as well, which finished the 12–0 Philadelphia season sweep of the Bears.

The Phantoms won the Calder Cup in 2005 after sweeping the Chicago Wolves. Niittymäki received the Jack A. Butterfield Trophy for being the MVP in the Calder Cup Playoffs. He had a 1.75 GAA and 15 wins, three of which were shutouts.

Niittymäki played 3 games for the Flyers in February, 2004. He was allowed to play after Robert Esche was injured and Jeff Hackett was forced to retire because of vertigo. He won all three games, posting a 1.01 GAA, against the Washington Capitals, Atlanta Thrashers and New Jersey Devils. His starting stint ended after the Flyers acquired Sean Burke from the Phoenix Coyotes. Upon Esche's recovery, Burke took over the backup job and Niittymäki was sent back down to the Phantoms.

Philadelphia Flyers

Niittymäki started the 2005–06 season as the Flyers' backup goalie for Esche. On October 14, 2005, Niittymäki let in a questionable goal immediately after a faceoff on the Pittsburgh Penguins' side of center ice. He was watching a JumboTron replay when Maxime Talbot softly shot at him and scored.

While Esche was on the injury list, Niittymäki got the opportunity to start with Jamie Storr being his backup goalie. Niittymäki started seventeen consecutive games while Esche was unable to play. He recorded his first NHL shutout and assist/point during this time. He was named the NHL Defensive Player of the week for the week ending on January 8, 2006 after posting a 1.33 GAA and a .953 SP along with a shutout.

The 2006–07 NHL season revolved around injuries for Niittymäki. He suffered a torn labrum injury to his left hip during training camp. Doctors decided to try giving him cortisone shots to postpone surgery, which would have sidelined him for 6–8 weeks. The first shot allowed him to get back on the ice for the start of the season, but by late December he needed another shot. Despite this, he managed to take over the starting goaltender position from Esche. However, Philadelphia acquired Martin Biron and he was given the starting position for the rest of the year. Niittymäki finally had hip surgery in summer 2008.

He continued play for the Flyers for the next two seasons (07-08 and 08-09). In June/July 2009, the Philadelphia Flyers acquired Ray Emery and Brian Boucher, practically ensuring that Niittymäki would not be signing with the Flyers for another season.

Tampa Bay Lightning (2009- Present)

On July 10, 2009, Niittymaki signed with the Tampa Bay Lightning as a back up goalie for Mike Smith. The 2009 NHL offseason had marked the first time in Niittymaki's NHL playing career that he was an unrestricted free agent.He has started his 2009-2010 season with great success. After 10 games he has played(as of 20.11.09), he leads the league in both saving percent(.939) and goal against average(1.93)[172486].

International play

Niittymäki was named to the Finnish national men's ice hockey team for the 2006 Winter Olympics after Kari Lehtonen and Miikka Kiprusoff had to pull out due to injuries. Despite being a relative unknown with little top-level experience, he put in a stellar performance and was named the MVP of the tournament after posting 3 shutouts in 6 games, leading Finland to the silver medal.

Niittymäki played for Finland in the 2006 IIHF World Championships until the last game of the qualifying round against Canada, in which he got injured and was replaced by the team's reserve goalie Fredrik Norrena.

Awards

• Jarmo Wasama Memorial Trophy - 2000
• Sher-Wood AHL Player of the Week - week ending on November 16, 2003
• Phantoms Toyota Player of the Month - January, March, November 2004
• Played in AHL All-Star Game - 2005
• Calder Cup Philadelphia Phantoms - 2005
• Jack A. Butterfield Trophy - 2005
• Phantoms All Decade Second Team - 2005
• NHL Defensive Player of the Week - week ending on January 8, 2006 shared with David Aebischer
• 2006 Winter Olympics men's ice hockey Most Valuable Player and member of the media All-Star team

Records

• First goaltender to record an overtime goal in North American pro-hockey (April 11, 2004)
• Philadelphia Flyers' franchise record for first shootout win (December 6, 2005)
• Philadelphia Flyers' franchise record for most saves in a game (54 on January 5, 2008)
• Philadelphia Flyers' franchise record for most losses by a goalie in a season (29 in 2006–07) tied with Bernie Parent
• Philadelphia Phantoms' franchise record for first goal by a goaltender
• Philadelphia Phantoms' franchise record for lowest career GAA (2.19 GAA)
• Philadelphia Phantoms' franchise record for lowest GAA during the postseason (1.75 GAA in 2005)
• Philadelphia Phantoms' franchise record for most saves in a period during a playoff game (23 saves, 1st period, April 29, 2005)
• Philadelphia Phantoms' franchise record for most saves in the postseason (611 saves in 2005)
• Philadelphia Phantoms' franchise record for most shutouts in a season (7 SO in 2003–04)
• Philadelphia Phantoms' franchise record for most shutouts in the postseason (3 SO in 2005) tied with Neil Little
• Philadelphia Phantoms' franchise record for most wins by a goalie in a season (33 wins in 2004–05)

Career statistics

Regular season

Season	Team	League		GP	W	L	T	OTL	MIN	GA	SO	GAA	SV%
1999–2000	TPS	SM-liiga		32	23	6	3	-	1899	68	3	2.15
2000–01	TPS	SM-liiga		21	10	5	1	-	1112	46	2	2.48	.907
2001–02	TPS	SM-liiga		27	16	8	1	-	1498	46	3	1.84	.937
2002–03	Philadelphia Phantoms	AHL		40	14	21	2	-	2283	98	0	2.58	.903
2003–04	Philadelphia Flyers	NHL		3	3	0	0	-	179	3	0	1.01	.961
2003–04	Philadelphia Phantoms	AHL		49	24	13	6	-	2728	92	7	2.02	.924
2004–05	Philadelphia Phantoms	AHL		58	33	21	4	-	3453	119	6	2.07	.924
2005–06	Philadelphia Flyers	NHL		46	23	15	-	6	2690	133	2	2.97	.895
2006–07	Philadelphia Flyers	NHL		52	9	29	-	9	2942	166	0	3.38	.894
2007–08	Philadelphia Flyers	NHL		28	12	9	-	2	1424	69	1	2.91	.907
2008–09	Philadelphia Flyers	NHL		32	15	8	-	6	1804	83	1	2.76	.912
NHL Totals				161	62	61	0	23	9041	454	4	3.01	.901

Playoffs

Season	Team	League		GP	W	L	MIN	GA	SO	GAA	SV%
1999–2000	TPS	SM-liiga		8	6	2	453	13	0	1.72	.944
2001–02	TPS	SM-liiga		4	2	2	295	11	0	2.23	.926
2003–04	Philadelphia Phantoms	AHL		12	6	6	796	24	0	1.81	.926
2004–05	Philadelphia Phantoms	AHL		21	15	5	1269	37	3	1.75	.943
2005–06	Philadelphia Flyers	NHL		2	0	0	72	5	0	4.11	.828
NHL Totals				2	0	0	72	5	0	4.11	.828

International

Year	Team	Event			GP	W	L	T	MIN	GA	SO	GAA	SV%
1998	Finland	EJC			1				60	4	0	4.00
2000	Finland	WJC			5				245	10	0	2.45
2006	Finland	Oly			6	5	1	-	359	8	3	1.34	.951
2006	Finland	WC			4	2	1	1	212	6	2	1.70	.927
Senior Int'l Totals					10	7	2	1	571	14	5	1.53	.939

References

• Alven, Al. From Finland to Philly? Antero Niittymaki may arrive in 2002-03. Retrieved 5 Jan 2006.
• Euro Hockey. Antero Niittymäki. Retrieved 2 Jan 2005.
• Fitzpatrick, Jamie. NHL Free Agents in 2009: Eastern Conference. Retrieved 1 July 2009.
• Hockey Goalies. Antero Niittymaki. Retrieved 2 Jan 2005.
• Lampinen, Pekka. Finnish goaltenders since the mid-90's. Retrieved 5 Jan 2006.
• Meltzer, Bill. Flyers European Update. Retrieved 5 Jan 2006.
• National Hockey League.
  • . 23 April 2006.
  • Boxscore: Edmonton at Philadelphia. 8 Dec 2005.
• Philadelphia Flyers.
  • (3 Feb 2004). Niittymaki to Make His NHL Debut on Wednesday. Press release.
  • (9 Feb 2004). Flyers Goaltender Jeff Hackett Announces His Retirement. Press release.
  • (13 Feb 2004). Flyers Move On After Multiple Injuries. Press release.
  • (25 Feb 2004). Esche Cleared to Return. Press release.
  • (14 Oct 2005). Flyers Survive in Overtime Against Penguins, 6-5. Press release.
  • (6 Dec 2005). Flyers Defeat Calgary in Shootout, 1-0. Press release.
  • (20 Jan 2006). Esche to Start Saturday Against Penguins. Press release. Current URL.
  • (27 Jan 2006). Niittymaki Expected Starter for Team Finland. Press release. Current URL.
  • (5 July 2006). Flyers Re-Sign Goaltender Antero Niittymaki. Press release. Current URL.
  • (28 Dec 2006). Holmgren Updates Status of Niittymaki. Press release. Current URL.
  • (14 June 2007). Flyers Sign Antero Niittymaki to New Two-Year Contract. Press release.
  • (22 Oct 2007). Niittymaki Ready for Action. Press release.
  • (6 Dec 2007). Common Goal. Press release.
  • (8 Jan 2008). Flyers-Thrashers Preview/Game Notes. Press release.
  • (21 Oct 2008). Niittymaki Back in Net. Press release.
  • (10 June 2009). Flyers Agree to One-Year Contract with Ray Emery. Press release.
  • (1 July 2009). Boucher, Laperriere Join Flyers. Press release.
• Philadelphia Phantoms.
  • Records - Playoff. Retrieved 2 Jan 2005.
  • Records - Regular Season Individual. Retrieved 2 Jan 2005.
  • (17 Nov 2003). Niittymaki Named Sher-Wood AHL Player of the Week. Press release.
  • (2 Feb 2004). Niittymaki Named Toyota Player of the Month for January. Press release.
  • (2 Apr 2004). Niittymaki Named Toyota Player of the Month for March. Press release.
  • (11 Apr 2004). Niittymaki Scores in OT to Give Phantoms 3-2 Win in Hershey. Press release.
  • (1 Dec 2004). Niittymaki Named Player of the Month for November. Press release.
  • (15 Feb 2005). Niittymaki Bobblehead Doll Giveaway on Feb 27. Press release.
  • (10 Jun 2005). Phantoms Are Calder Cup Champions. Press release.
  • (22 Dec 2005). Phantoms Announce All-Decade Team. Press release.
  • (14 Feb 2006). Phantoms Makeup Date Announced. Press release.
• Sports Network, The. Antero Niittymaki. Retrieved 16 Jan 2006.
• Tampa Bay Lightning.
  • (10 July 2009). Lightning Sign Free Agent Goaltender Antero Niittymaki. Press release.

External links

Interviews

• E-mail the Phantoms
• Phun Phacts
• Post-game interview on November 14 2004
• Post-game interview on November 23 2003

Pictures

• AP Pictures on Yahoo Sports
• Phantoms gallery

Teams

• Philadelphia Flyers
• Philadelphia Phantoms

Statistics

• SM-liiga official website; including official statistics.
• Game Log (current season) on Yahoo Sports
• Game Log (complete) from Hockey Goalies
• Stats at nhlfinns.com
• Stats at phantomshockey.com
• Stats linked from theahl.com