The Man Behind the Mask: Antti Niemi
The NHLHS Man Behind The Mask series is a profile on some of the best goalies in the league to ever wear the “mask”. We hope you enjoy the latest installment of the NHLHS MBTM series.
The position of goaltending is a funny one, especially in the sport of hockey.
If you notice, the term “head case” is used quite frequently when discussing goaltenders. Martin Brodeur, Ron Hextall, Billy Smith, Sean Burke, Dan Cloutier, and others have all had their share of “problems” both on and off the ice.
It seems to play from the maturity level of a goaltender.
For the Chicago Blackhawks, maturity was developed quickly.
Antti Niemi was born on August 29, 1983 in Vantaa, Finland.
His professional career began in 2000 where Niemi played junior hockey for Kiekko-Vantaa from 2000 until 2005, when he turned pro with the Pelicans of the Finnish SM-liiga. He played three seasons with the Pelicans before signing with the Chicago Blackhawks as an undrafted free agent in 2008.
In three seasons with the Pelicans, Niemi appeare in 137 games. He posted a record of 56-52-21 with the Pelicans. He recorded 10 shutouts over the course of three seasons and had a very respectable goals against average and save percentage.
In coming to North America, Niemi spent most of his first season with the AHL’s Rockford IceHogs.
His time in the NHL proved to Chicago ownership that they had a young netminder in their organization that they could grow with.
He posted a record of 18-14-3 in 2008-09 with the IceHogs. He posted two shutouts and earned a 2.43 goals against average and a .910 save percentage.
In February 2009, he was called up to the Blackhawks as an injury replacement. He made his NHL debut on February 27, playing one period in a 5–4 overtime loss to the Pittsburgh Penguins. A few days later, Niemi recorded his first NHL start and win on March 1, a 4–2 victory over the Los Angeles Kings.
The following season, Niemi made the Blackhawks lineup out of training camp. Niemi started the second game of a back-to-back season opener against the Florida Panthers in Helsinki as the NHL opened the regular season in Europe. He stopped all 23 shots he faced against the Panthers earning his first NHL shutout in his native Finland on October 3, 2009.
With inconsistencies from Cristobal Huet, Niemi was made the starting goaltender for the Blackhawks near the close of the 2009-2010 NHL regular season and the 2010 Stanley Cup Playoffs.
Through these playoffs, Niemi has gained confidence and comfort in his crease. He recorded a shutout victory against the Nashville Predators at the United Center, making him the first Blackhawks goaltender since Ed Belfour in 1996 to record a postseason shutout.
On April 22, 2010, Niemi stopped 33 shots to record his second shutout of the postseason, making him the first Chicago goaltender since Tony Esposito in 1974 to record two shutouts in one playoff series.
The Blackhawks were able to escape a scare and went on to defeat the Predators in the first round of the 2010 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs. However, the second round would bring a more series threat.
The Vancouver Canucks would face off against the Chicago Blackhawks in the semi-finals of the playoffs. For a team with Roberto Luongo and one of the top three offenses in the league, many felt this would be the toughest test for the Blackhawks during this years playoffs to date.
Niemi and company answered the doubters by defeating the Canucks in six games. Though it was not pretty on most nights, the Hawks got the job done.
As of today, number thirty-one has gained a lot as a netminder while battling through these playoffs. Just last night, in the opening game of the Western Conference Finals, Niemi found a game that would prove just how real this Hawks team is.
His play alone helped the Blackhawks defeat the San Jose Sharks by a final of 2-1, on the road.
Niemi went on to make 44 saves for the victory.
As the days go by, this Hawks netminder grows not only in age but in maturity within his position. For the Hawks, this is a story that will continue to be written as the young goalies career establishes itself in Chicago.
They say that riding a hot goaltender through the playoffs is key to a Stanley Cup appearance. Niemi has picked the perfect time to get red hot.
Anthony Curatolo
NHLHS Senior Writer
acuratolo@nhlhotstove.com
Twitter: @HockeyGuy_AC
Great look at Niemi!! It gives some nice insight into how fast he really has matured in the NHL…as if he really had a choice.
I think he actually had 44 saves in Game 1 against the Sharks. I may be mistaken.
[...] keys to send the Series’ back to Chicago tied 2-2; get in Antti Niemi’s head, score first, and keep Chicago’s top-line off the scoring [...]