Leevi Meriläinen Bio
Leevi Meriläinen is a Finnish professional ice hockey goaltender currently under contract to the Ottawa Senators of the National Hockey League (NHL). He plays for the Belleville Senators of the American Hockey League (AHL) and previously suited up for Oulun Kärpät in Finland’s top-tier Liiga, as well as the Kingston Frontenacs of the Ontario Hockey League (OHL). The Ottawa Senators selected him 71st overall in the third round of the 2020 NHL Entry Draft, and he made his North American professional debut in April 2023. Standing 6 ft 2 in tall and weighing about 178 lb, Meriläinen catches left and has quickly built a reputation as a composed, technically sound netminder.
Early Life and Background
Leevi Meriläinen was born on 13 August 2002 in Oulu, Finland, a northern city long associated with strong ice hockey traditions. Growing up in Oulu placed him in the heart of one of Finland’s most passionate hockey regions, and he joined the local Liiga club Oulun Kärpät at a young age. Kärpät’s development system is widely respected across Europe, and Meriläinen moved steadily through the club’s youth ranks, refining his positional play and puck-tracking skills.
During the 2020–21 season with Kärpät’s under-20 squad, Meriläinen played 22 games and posted an impressive .934 save percentage, numbers that quickly attracted NHL scouting attention. That same year he was named a second-team All-Star in his junior league, signaling his arrival as one of Finland’s most promising goaltending prospects. Although Kärpät informed him that they preferred a more veteran presence at the top level, his play had already made an impression on scouts across North America.
Path to Professional Hockey
Meriläinen’s path to professional hockey accelerated after he was selected 71st overall by the Ottawa Senators in the 2020 NHL Entry Draft. Shortly afterward, on 14 June 2021, he signed a three-year entry-level contract with Ottawa, committing his future to the Senators organization. Ottawa then asked him to join the Kingston Frontenacs of the OHL for the 2021–22 season after the Frontenacs had selected him in the Canadian Hockey League Import Draft.
His time in Kingston produced mixed results. Meriläinen became one of the OHL’s leaders in wins and total saves, yet he also posted a sub-.900 save percentage and a 3.29 goals-against average, exposing him to the demands of North American hockey. Returning to Finland for the 2022–23 Liiga season, he reclaimed the starter’s role with Oulun Kärpät and broke the league’s rookie record for shutouts with eight, finishing the year with a 2.02 goals-against average and a .918 save percentage.
Leevi Meriläinen Career
Early Career (2020–2022)
Meriläinen’s earliest professional chapters were split between Finland and North America. With Kärpät’s under-20 team he posted a .934 save percentage across 22 appearances, and his performances convinced Ottawa to invest a third-round pick in his potential. The Senators immediately mapped out a development plan that began with a single OHL season.
That plan sent him to the Kingston Frontenacs for 2021–22, where heavy shot volumes tested his consistency. Although his win totals climbed and his save totals ranked among the league leaders, his save percentage dipped below .900, giving him valuable experience in handling high-danger chances on smaller ice. By the end of the season, he had proven durable enough to handle a starter’s workload and returned to Finland ready to lead a top-tier Liiga crease.
Ottawa Senators Breakthrough (2023–Present)
After rejoining Oulun Kärpät for 2022–23, Meriläinen signed his entry-level deal and reported to Ottawa’s AHL affiliate, the Belleville Senators, in April 2023. He opened his North American professional career with a 41-save shutout against the Toronto Marlies on 2 April 2023 and was promoted to Ottawa two days later. His first NHL start came on 4 April 2023 against the Carolina Hurricanes, where he made 34 saves in a 3–2 overtime loss.
Meriläinen opened the 2024–25 season in Belleville before an injury to Ottawa’s Anton Forsberg triggered his recall on 15 December 2024. He earned his first NHL victory on 21 December 2024 against the Vancouver Canucks and followed it up with his first NHL shutout, a 5–0 win over the Pittsburgh Penguins on 11 January 2025. Days later, he became the 179th unique goaltender to allow a goal from Alexander Ovechkin, setting an NHL record for most unique goalies scored upon by a single player.
On 1 July 2025, Meriläinen signed a one-year, $1.05 million contract extension with Ottawa and made the Senators’ roster as the backup to starter Linus Ullmark for 2025–26. After Ullmark stepped away from the team in late December for personal reasons, Meriläinen started ten consecutive games but struggled, leading Ottawa to add veteran James Reimer. When Ullmark returned in January 2026, Meriläinen was reassigned to Belleville, where he posted a 2.77 goals-against average and a .909 save percentage the rest of the way.
Driving Style and Strengths
Meriläinen relies on precise positioning, quick lateral movement, and a calm demeanor under pressure. His ability to track pucks through traffic and absorb rebounds has been a hallmark since his junior days, and he shows particular comfort in high-volume games where shot totals climb quickly. Coaches have praised his work ethic and his willingness to adjust technique between starts, traits that suggest long-term starter potential once consistency arrives.
Notable Events and Milestones
Beyond his NHL debut shutout and first NHL win, Meriläinen’s record-setting encounter with Alexander Ovechkin stands out as a defining early-career moment. His rookie Liiga shutout record with Kärpät remains another milestone, underscoring the rapid rise that has defined his young career. Each of these moments has shaped his profile as a goaltender capable of producing headline performances on big stages.
Leevi Meriläinen Career Wins
Across the OHL, Liiga, AHL, ECHL, and NHL, Leevi Meriläinen has steadily accumulated wins, save totals, and shutouts at every level. His first NHL victory came against the Vancouver Canucks in December 2024, and he added his first NHL shutout less than a month later versus the Pittsburgh Penguins. He has also recorded wins in the AHL with Belleville, the ECHL with Allen, and in major junior with Kingston.
NHL Highlights
In limited NHL action, Meriläinen’s win total sits in the single digits, with his first victory coming on 21 December 2024 versus Vancouver and additional wins following during the 2025–26 season before his reassignment to Belleville. His first NHL shutout, a 5–0 blanking of Pittsburgh, remains his most decisive top-level performance to date.
Other Wins and Performances
Meriläinen’s other major wins include his rookie Liiga shutout record with Oulun Kärpät in 2022–23, his 41-save AHL debut shutout for Belleville in April 2023, and his 9–4–0 record across 13 ECHL appearances with Allen during 2023–24. He also represented Finland at the 2022 World Junior Championships, starting the tournament before helping the team capture a silver medal.
Leevi Meriläinen Family
Family Background and Hockey Lineage
Public information about Leevi Meriläinen’s immediate family remains limited, and he has not shared extensive details about his parents or any hockey lineage. His upbringing in Oulu, a city deeply connected to Finnish hockey culture, helped shape his early development behind Kärpät’s system. As his career progresses, more details about his family background may emerge.
Personal Life
Meriläinen keeps his personal life largely private, and no public information confirms a spouse, partner, or children. He resides in North America during the NHL season while remaining closely tied to his Finnish roots. Off the ice, he is known for a quiet, focused personality that mirrors his calm style in the crease.
2025 Season Performance
Leevi Meriläinen entered the 2025–26 campaign as Ottawa’s backup goaltender behind Linus Ullmark following his July 2025 contract extension. Early-season appearances showed flashes of his technical ability, yet consistency proved elusive during the opening months. When Ullmark departed the team on 29 December for personal reasons, Meriläinen was thrust into a starter’s role and started ten consecutive games.
That stretch was difficult, and Ottawa responded by signing veteran James Reimer to provide additional support. Once Ullmark returned in January 2026, the Senators reassigned Meriläinen to Belleville, where he recorded a .909 save percentage and a 2.77 goals-against average across 19 AHL appearances. Across 20 NHL games with Ottawa, he finished with an 8–10–1 record, a .860 save percentage, and a 3.51 goals-against average.
Looking ahead, Meriläinen’s outlook remains promising given his age and the structure of his contract, which runs through the 2025–26 season. Continued development in Belleville, combined with another offseason of refinement, could position him for a stronger push toward an NHL starter’s role. His combination of size, athleticism, and prior success at multiple levels gives Ottawa reason to remain patient with his progression.