Clan sign Suomalainen

After weeks of anticipation and speculation, the wait is over.. Clan have signed their goalie for the 2011/2012 season and the Finnish star is looking forward to getting his skates on UK ice.

33 year old Fin, Jaakko Elias Suomalainen joins the Clan having played last season with HK Jesenice in Austria. Jaakko is no stranger to Glasgow, having played for the Paisley Pirates back in 2001/2002 in the BNL. He played 17 games for the Pirates before returning to Finland to finish the season in the Finland 3 league with Karhu Kissat. Jaakko has played in some of the top European leagues such as the Finland 3 and Finland 2 as well as the SM-Liiga.

The 5’11 190lbs puck stopper is looking forward to returning to the Glasgow area and playing out of Braehead Arena.

The club commented; “I think Jaakko will be an asset to the team that has been put together for the forthcoming season. He hasn’t played in the UK for a few years but is looking forward to joining the Clan and playing in the Rapid Solicitors EIHL.”

Jaakko will fly in later this week and join the rest of his team mates at the pre-season training camp.