Thursday, June 16, 2011

Predators Sign Jusso Puustinen to Two Year, Two Way Contract

The Nashville Predators announce the signing of Juuso Puustinen, who led the Finnish Elite League in goals and points during the past season. The 23 year old should start the season in Milwaukee. There is no indication if he will attend the Predators development Camp later this month.

Make the jump for the full release from the Predators...


PREDATORS SIGN FORWARD JUUSO PUUSTINEN

Nashville, Tenn. (June 16, 2011) – Nashville Predators President of Hockey Operations/General Manager David Poile announced today that the club has signed free-agent right wing Juuso Puustinen (YUH-soh POOS-tih-nehn) to a two-year, two-way contract worth $550,000 on the NHL level and $60,000 on the AHL level in both 2011-12 and 2012-13.

Puustinen, 23 (4/5/88), spent the 2010-11 campaign with HPK of the Finnish Elite League (SM-Liiga), ranking fourth in the league in goals (26), and tied for 20th in points (38). Prior to joining HPK, the 6-2, 187-pound forward played two seasons with the Espoo Blues from 2008-10, leading all SM-Liiga rookies in points (14g-20a-34pts) and assists in 2008-09. The Kuopio, Finland native also spent two seasons with the Kamloops Blazers of the Western Hockey League after being selected by Calgary in the fifth round (149th overall) of the 2006 Entry Draft, putting up 124 points (59g-65a) in 124 games from 2006-08.

Puustinen has represented in Finland in several international tournaments as well, with the most recent being the 2010 European Hockey Tour (2g-0a-2pts., 6gp) and the most notable being in 2006 when he earned a silver medal at the Under-18 World Championships, and in 2008 when he was named one of the nation’s top three players at the World Junior Championships.

More Later...

Buddy Oakes for PredsOntheGlass

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