Maple Leafs sign prospects Topi Niemela, Roni Hirvonen to entry-level deals

Finland's Topi Niemela (7) and Germany's Jan-Luca Schumacher (18) rough it up during third period IIHF World Junior Hockey Championship action in Edmonton, Friday, Dec. 25, 2020. (Jason Franson/THE CANADIAN PRESS)

The Toronto Maple Leafs have signed two Finnish prospects -- defenceman Topi Niemela and forward Roni Hirvonen -- to three-year, entry-level deals.

The average annual value of both contracts is $856,666.

Niemela, 20, posted 32 points (10 goals, 22 assists) in 48 games with Kärpät of the Finnish Elite League during the 2021-22 season. Niemelä led Kärpät defencemen in goals and points this season.

The Leafs picked Niemela, who has represented Finland twice at the World Junior Championship, in the third round (64th overall) of the 2020 NHL Draft.

Hirvonen, 20, posted 26 points (nine goals, 17 asssts) in 46 games with HIFK of the Finnish Elite League this past season.

Like Niemela, Hirvonen has twice played for Finland at the World Juniors.

The Leafs picked Hirvonen in second round (59th overall) of the 2020 NHL Draft.

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