The Calgary Flames have loaned defenceman Juuso Valimaki to Tampereen Ilves in Finland’s Liiga.
Valimaki, who turns 22 next week, missed the entire 2019-20 season with a torn ACL in his right knee. He appeared in 24 NHL games and 20 AHL games in 2018-19, his first professional season.
The 2017 first-round pick is considered an important piece for the Flames on the blue line. With both T.J. Brodie and Travis Hamonic potentially leaving in free agency, Valimaki will have a prime opportunity to make the team whenever the 2020-21 season begins.
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