Juuso Välimäki Bio
Juuso Välimäki is a Finnish professional ice hockey player who plays as a defenceman for the Utah Mammoth in the National Hockey League (NHL). He was drafted by the Calgary Flames as the 16th overall pick in the first round of the 2017 NHL Entry Draft. Välimäki has also played for the Arizona Coyotes and has represented Finland in international competitions. He began his professional career in 2018 and has since developed a reputation as a skilled defenceman.
Early Life and Background
Juuso Välimäki was born on October 6, 1998, in Nokia, Finland. He grew up in Finland and was introduced to ice hockey at a young age. Välimäki comes from a sports-oriented family as he is the cousin of Finnish golfer Sami Välimäki.
Välimäki was selected 14th overall by the Tri-City Americans of the Western Hockey League (WHL) in the 2015 Canadian Hockey League Import draft. He debuted with the Americans in the 2015–16 season, playing in 56 games, scoring seven goals, 25 assists for 32 points. His performance in the WHL marked the beginning of his journey toward a professional hockey career.
Path to Hockey
Välimäki’s junior hockey career progressed significantly with the Tri-City Americans. In his second season, he improved his scoring, recording 19 goals and 61 points in 60 games. He was named to the WHL’s Western Conference Second All-Star Team in both his second and third seasons with the team. Välimäki’s development continued as he helped his team advance through the WHL playoffs, showcasing his skills on the defensive end.
During his time in the WHL, Välimäki established himself as a promising defenceman with strong puck-moving abilities. His performances led to being ranked highly among North American skaters by scouting services, positioning him for the NHL draft. His junior hockey experience provided the foundation for his transition to professional hockey.
Juuso Välimäki Career
Early Career (2018-2022)
Juuso Välimäki made his NHL debut with the Calgary Flames in the 2018-19 season after making the team out of training camp. He scored his first NHL goal on October 17, 2018, against the Boston Bruins. However, his season was limited by a high ankle sprain suffered in November, which caused him to miss significant playing time. Despite the injury, he showed glimpses of his potential with a goal and three points in 24 games during his rookie season.
After his rookie season, Välimäki suffered a torn ACL injury during offseason training that required surgery, causing him to miss the entire 2019-20 season. He returned in 2020-21 with the Calgary Flames but struggled to find consistent playing time. During the 2021-22 season, his role with the Flames diminished, and he spent considerable time in the AHL with the Stockton Heat, where he played 35 games and recorded two goals and 18 points.
Calgary Flames Breakthrough (2017-2022)
Välimäki was selected by the Calgary Flames as the 16th overall pick in the first round of the 2017 NHL Entry Draft. He signed a three-year entry-level contract with the Flames on July 21, 2017. His development was hampered by injuries, including the high ankle sprain in his rookie season and the torn ACL that sidelined him for the entire 2019-20 season.
Despite the challenges, Välimäki made his NHL playoff debut in 2019, assisting on Derek Ryan’s goal in a Game 4 loss to the Colorado Avalanche. During his time with Calgary, he primarily played a defensive role, showing potential with his puck-moving abilities and shot from the blue line. His time with the Flames provided valuable NHL experience, though his path was disrupted by injuries and limited ice time.
Arizona Coyotes Era (2022-2023)
Prior to the 2022-23 season, Välimäki was placed on waivers by the Calgary Flames and was claimed by the Arizona Coyotes on October 9, 2022. He made his Coyotes debut on October 17, 2022, and quickly established a regular role on the team’s blue line. Välimäki recorded his first point with the Coyotes on October 22, assisting on Dylan Guenther’s first career NHL goal.
During the 2022-23 season, Välimäki had several standout performances, including a four-assist game against the St. Louis Blues on February 11, 2023. His strong play earned him a one-year, $1 million contract extension on January 24, 2023. He finished the season with four goals and 34 points in 78 games with the Coyotes, demonstrating his offensive capabilities as a defenceman.
Utah Mammoth Era (2023-Present)
At the end of the 2023-24 season, the Arizona Coyotes franchise was suspended, and Välimäki became a member of the expansion Utah Mammoth. He signed a two-year contract with Utah on June 29, 2024. However, the 2024-25 season was cut short when he tore his ACL in his first game with Utah’s AHL affiliate, the Tucson Roadrunners, on February 28, 2025.
Despite the injury, Välimäki’s NHL rights were traded to the Carolina Hurricanes on January 5, 2026, in exchange for future considerations. He was assigned to AHL affiliate, the Chicago Wolves, where he helped the club reach the Calder Cup finals. As a pending free agent, Välimäki initially agreed to a two-year contract with Swedish club Brynäs IF on June 23, 2026, but opted to stay in the NHL by re-signing with the Hurricanes to a one-year, $900,000 contract for the 2026-27 season.
Playing Style and Strengths
Juuso Välimäki is known for his offensive capabilities as a defenceman, with a particularly strong shot from the blue line. He excels at moving the puck and creating offensive opportunities from the defensive zone. Välimäki plays a balanced game, combining defensive responsibility with offensive production. His puck-moving skills and vision allow him to contribute significantly to his team’s offensive game.
Notable Events and Milestones
Välimäki’s career has been marked by resilience despite injuries. Notable milestones include his first NHL goal in 2018, a four-assist game in 2023, and helping the Chicago Wolves reach the Calder Cup finals in 2026. His international success includes winning gold with Finland at the 2016 IIHF World U18 Championships, where he served as team captain. He has shown his ability to perform in high-pressure situations, both at the NHL level and in international competition.
Juuso Välimäki Career Wins
Juuso Välimäki’s professional hockey career has spanned multiple teams and leagues, with notable achievements at both the NHL and international levels. While he has not yet captured major NHL championship titles, his offensive contributions as a defenceman have been significant throughout his career, particularly during his time with the Arizona Coyotes.
NHL Highlights
During his time with the Arizona Coyotes, Välimäki established himself as a consistent offensive contributor from the blue line. He recorded four goals and 34 points in 78 games during the 2022-23 season, including a notable four-assist performance against the St. Louis Blues on February 11, 2023. His offensive output demonstrated his ability to produce points as a defenceman in the NHL.
International Highlights
Juuso Välimäki’s most significant success came in international competition, particularly with Finland’s junior teams. He served as captain of the Finnish team that won gold at the 2016 IIHF World U18 Championships. Välimäki also represented Finland at the 2015 World U18 Championships, where the team earned a silver medal. His international experience includes multiple appearances at the World Junior Ice Hockey Championships, where he served as captain in 2018.
| Series | Wins | Top Tens | Poles |
|---|---|---|---|
| NHL | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Juuso Välimäki Family
Family Background and Hockey Lineage
Juuso Välimäki was born in Nokia, Finland, and is part of a sports-oriented family. He is the cousin of Finnish golfer Sami Välimäki, indicating a family with athletic connections. While there is no known direct hockey lineage in his immediate family, Välimäki has represented Finland in international competitions, becoming part of the country’s hockey legacy through his play.
Personal Life
Juuso Välimäki has maintained a relatively private personal life. He received an invitation to the Finnish Independence Day Reception in 2016, recognizing his achievements as a young Finnish athlete. His focus has primarily been on his hockey career, though he has established connections to his community through various appearances and recognition events.
2025 Season Performance
The 2024-25 season proved challenging for Juuso Välimäki as he transitioned to the expansion Utah Mammoth. After beginning the season with Utah, he was assigned to the AHL’s Tucson Roadrunners on February 25, 2025. However, his season was cut short when he tore his ACL in his first game with Tucson on February 28, 2025, requiring a nine-month recovery period.
Despite the injury setback, Välimäki had played in 43 games for the Mammoth during the 2024-25 season, registering two goals and five points. His performance with Utah showed his ability to contribute offensively, though the injury limited his overall impact. The injury occurred during a period of transition for Välimäki, who had recently moved with the franchise from Arizona to Utah, making his recovery and return to play even more significant for his career progression.