Goalkeeper Henri Kiviaho became the new reinforcement of the hockey club HC Slovan Bratislava. The 30-year-old Finn was catching for the Malmö Redhawks of the Swedish SHL at the beginning of this season, he should replace the Kazakh goalkeeper Andrej Šutov in the Slovan team, who decided to return to Barys Astana.
Kiviaho stepped in at the beginning of the year in Malmö for the injured Czech goalkeeper Langhammer, during the short-term contract he managed to start three matches with an average of 1.66 conceded goals per match and a success rate of 93.9 percent. The management of Slovan agreed with him on a contract until the end of the 2025/26 season with a subsequent option.
“At the club, we agreed that if the opportunity arises, we will strive to further improve the quality of our goalkeeping position. Our choice fell on Henri Kiviah. He is an excellent goalkeeper in the best goalkeeping age with optimal physical parameters.
We are convinced that he and Denis Godl will form a reliable pair in goal. At the same time, our effort is to stabilize this important position, and that is why we offered Kivi a contract for two seasons with a one-year option.” stated the general manager of the club Lukáš Havlíček for the Slovan website.
Kiviaho grew up playing hockey in his native Lappeenranta. He gradually won a place in the youth national selections of Finland, and in the 2012 draft, he was selected in the 5th round of the overall 144th place by the NHL club Dallas Stars, with whom he signed a three-year rookie contract.
He made his debut in the highest Finnish competition in the jersey of the KalPa Kuopio team, after three seasons he moved overseas, where he tried his hand at the ECHL club Idaho Steelheads. However, he failed to make it to the NHL, so he chose to return to his native country.
In the clubs of the highest competition, Ilves Tampere and Ässät Pori, he worked mostly in the position of goalkeeper two, in addition, he also caught in the second highest competition, Mestis.
He already tried the highest Slovak competition during the 2020/2021 season, when he worked in Nové Zámky. With 51 interceptions, he became the busiest goalkeeper in the extra league. He had a big part in the team’s progress to the quarterfinals of the playoffs. Subsequently, he played for the Czech Mountfield HK Hradec Králové and for the parent team SaiPu Lappeenranta.
Hockey Club’s New Ace: Henri Kiviaho Takes the Helm
In a move that’s sure to send ripples through the Slovak hockey scene, HC Slovan Bratislava has snatched up Finnish goalkeeper Henri Kiviaho as their brand-new reinforcement. This 30-year-old shot-stopper isn’t just any goalie but someone who’s making quite the splash after his stint with the Malmö Redhawks in Sweden.
As if he was playing a real-life game of musical chairs, Kiviaho has waltzed right into the Slovan squad, taking over the reins from Kazakh keeper Andrej Šutov, who decided to take a detour back to Barys Astana. What’s next? A foot race to see who gets to keep their spot in a goalie battle?
Now, let’s talk stats, shall we? During his brief spell in Malmö, Kiviaho filled in for the injured Czech goalkeeper Langhammer, and boy did he deliver! With an impressive average of just 1.66 goals conceded per game and an eye-popping 93.9% save rate, he sure knows how to keep the net as clean as a whistle. And this isn’t just a fluke; it’s a proper recruitment strategy when the management waxes lyrical about his performance. Talk about putting your money where your mouth is!
The mastermind behind this acquisition, general manager Lukáš Havlíček, has charmingly noted that if a chance to up the goalkeeping game arises, they’d pounce on it, and guess who got their claws in? That’s right, Henri! According to Havlíček: “He is an excellent goalkeeper in the best goalkeeping age.” Well, let’s hope he’s not too busy just enjoying his birthday cake to keep those pucks out!
We’ve got some background to chew on too. Kiviaho got his start in the frost-bitten lands of Lappeenranta, Finland. He climbed the ranks in youth hockey and, in a twist of fate, was summoned by the NHL’s Dallas Stars as the 144th pick in the 2012 draft. However, things weren’t easy-peasy lemon squeezy – the NHL career didn’t quite materialize, and after a whirlwind romance with teams like the Idaho Steelheads, he found himself back in his homeland.
He did don the colors of clubs like Ilves Tampere and Ässät Pori, mainly playing second fiddle behind first-choice goalies. But he’s no shy wallflower; during the 2020/2021 season, he was the busiest keeper in the extra league while with Nové Zámky, racking up an impressive 51 saves. Who knew being busy could look so good?
And if that’s not sexy enough for you, he went on to play for Mountfield HK Hradec Králové in the Czech leagues and made a return to his roots with SaiPa Lappeenranta. Clearly, Kiviaho isn’t one to shy away from making the rounds.
As he joins forces with fellow keeper Denis Godl, HC Slovan Bratislava appears to be poised for a reliable duo in goal. Let’s hope he turns that net into a fortress and keeps pucks at bay like a true warrior. With a contract through the end of the 2025/26 season and a sly option for a further year, Kiviaho certainly seems ready to make his mark.
Will Slovan be singing his praises, or will we find Henri Kiviaho playing the role of the tragic hero – all cape and no goals saved? Only time will tell, but for now, let’s raise a cheer for the new arrival and hope he’s got what it takes to not only keep the pucks out but to fill the stands with excitement!
Goalkeeper Henri Kiviaho has officially joined HC Slovan Bratislava, marking a significant addition to the club’s roster. The 30-year-old Finn previously played for the Malmö Redhawks in the Swedish SHL, where he was called up early this season to fill in for an injured teammate.
Kiviaho seamlessly stepped into his role at Malmö after the injury of Czech goalkeeper Langhammer. During his brief stint, he excelled in three starts, sporting an impressive average of only 1.66 goals conceded per game while achieving a stellar save percentage of 93.9. His consistent performance caught the eye of Slovan management, who quickly secured him with a contract that extends until the conclusion of the 2025/26 season, complete with an option for an additional year.
“At the club, we agreed that if the opportunity arises, we will strive to further improve the quality of our goalkeeping position. Our choice fell on Henri Kiviaho. He is an excellent goalkeeper in the best goalkeeping age with optimal physical parameters.”
“We are convinced that he and Denis Godl will form a reliable pair in goal. At the same time, our effort is to stabilize this important position, and that is why we offered Kiviaho a contract for two seasons with a one-year option,” stated the general manager of the club, Lukáš Havlíček, on the Slovan website.
Kiviaho’s journey began in Lappeenranta, Finland, where he honed his skills and represented his country in youth national teams. His talent was recognized in the 2012 NHL Draft, where he was selected in the fifth round as the 144th overall pick by the Dallas Stars, leading to a three-year rookie contract.
He debuted in Finland’s top league with KalPa Kuopio before drawing attention across the Atlantic. Despite a promising start with the Idaho Steelheads in the ECHL, the NHL remained elusive, prompting his return to Finnish hockey.
In the highest Finnish leagues, he played for Ilves Tampere and Ässät Pori, often as a secondary goalie, while also gaining experience in the Mestis second division. Kiviaho showcased his abilities in the Slovak Extraliga during the 2020/2021 season, playing for Nové Zámky, where he became the most active goalie with 51 saves, playing a crucial role in his team’s advance to the playoff quarterfinals. Following this, he furthered his career with Czech team Mountfield HK Hradec Králové and his original club, SaiPu Lappeenranta.
**Interview with Henri Kiviaho: HC Slovan Bratislava’s New Goalkeeper**
**Interviewer:** Henri, welcome to HC Slovan Bratislava! How does it feel to join the team?
**Henri Kiviaho:** Thank you! I’m really excited about this opportunity. Slovan has a strong history in Slovak hockey, and I’m eager to contribute to the team’s success. It’s a new chapter for me, and I can’t wait to get started.
**Interviewer:** You had an impressive stint with Malmö Redhawks, particularly stepping in for an injured goalkeeper. Can you share a bit about that experience?
**Henri Kiviaho:** Absolutely. It was a challenging situation stepping in, but I felt prepared and ready to perform. Starting three games and achieving a 93.9% save rate was a great boost for my confidence. It taught me a lot about staying focused under pressure and the importance of teamwork.
**Interviewer:** The management has expressed their belief that you’re in your prime as a goalkeeper. Do you feel more confident now at this stage of your career?
**Henri Kiviaho:** Definitely! I feel like I’m at a great age for a goalie, both physically and mentally. I’ve learned a lot through my experiences in different leagues. Now, I can bring that knowledge to Slovan and help stabilize our goaltending position.
**Interviewer:** You’ve played in various leagues, including a previous stint in the Slovak Extraliga. What do you remember about that experience?
**Henri Kiviaho:** I had a great time in Nové Zámky. It was a busy season for me, and I took pride in being the most active goalie with 51 saves in a single game. The level of competition in Slovakia is high, and I believe that previous experience will help me adapt quickly.
**Interviewer:** What are your ambitions for this season with HC Slovan Bratislava?
**Henri Kiviaho:** My main goal is to help the team win games and reach the playoffs. I want to build a strong partnership with Denis Godl and create a solid wall in front of our goal. My focus is on improving every day and contributing to the team’s success.
**Interviewer:** how do you plan to get acquainted with your new teammates and the city of Bratislava?
**Henri Kiviaho:** I’m looking forward to spending time with the team both on and off the ice. It’s important to build chemistry, especially with the goalies. I also plan to explore Bratislava; I’ve heard there are some beautiful places here. I’m ready to embrace the culture and community.
**Interviewer:** Thank you, Henri, and welcome again to HC Slovan Bratislava! We’re looking forward to seeing you in action this season.
**Henri Kiviaho:** Thank you for having me! I’m excited for the journey ahead and can’t wait to get on the ice.
