Hockey Club Lugano finalised the identity of the fifth foreigner in the squad after captain Mark Arcobello, the renewals with strikers Daniel Carr and Troy Josephs, and the signing of defender Oliwer Kaski.
The HCL society has signed a contract valid for the next two championships with the 33 years old Finnish goalkeeper Mikko Koskinen, who recently finished the NHL playoffs with the Edmonton Oilers (45 presences in the season).
Born in Vantaa on the border of Helsinki on 18.07.1988, the Finnish goalkeeper (200 cm x 92 kg) has built a world-class career.
Drafted in 2009 in the second round and as first goaltender of the year by the New York Islanders, he made his NHL debut on 08.02.2011. He returned to his homeland until 2014 where he defended the colours first of KalPa Kuopio, then of "his" Espoo Blues, and later distinguished himself as one of the best goaltenders in the KHL, being among the protagonists in winning two national titles (Gagarin Cup) with SKA St. Petersburg in 2015 and 2017.
A consecration that opened the door for him to return to the NHL stage where he has worn the Edmonton Oilers jersey for the past four seasons.
Mikko Koskinen has played a total of 175 NHL games in his career, 261 KHL games 135 games in the Finnish Liiga and 44 AHL games.
With the Finnish national team jersey, Koskinen competed in the 2014 and 2016 World Championships, winning two silver medals, and the 2018 Olympic Games in Pyeongchang.
At the 2016 World Cup in Russia, he was named best overall goalkeeper of the tournament and was included in the All Star Team with fellow countrymen Patrik Laine and Mikael Granlund.
