The Toronto Maple Leafs have signed University of Minnesota-Duluth goaltender Kasimir Kaskisuo to a two-year, entry-level contract, the team announced Monday.
Kaskisuo’s deal will kick in during the 2016-17 season, though he’s eligible to sign an amateur tryout agreement (ATO) and head to the AHL’s Toronto Marlies, if the team chooses to go that route and he will join the AHL’s Toronto Marlies on an amateur tryout (ATO) for the remainder of the season, reports Miika Arponen.
The 6-foot-3 Finn just finished his second season with the Bulldogs, playing 39 games with a .923 save percentage. He was a key component to a strong season for the Bulldogs, in which they gained a berth in the NCAA tournament. They opened the tournament against Providence, who ranked No. 1 in the Northeast Regionals, while Duluth was a bottom-ranked No. 4.
The @BauerHockey #NCHCHockey Goalie of the Week – @UMDMensHockey Kasimir Kaskisuo. 2-0, 1 ShO, .976 save%, 0.50 GAA pic.twitter.com/vsD7N2imCY
— The NCHC (@TheNCHC) March 8, 2016
Nonetheless, the Bulldogs managed to unseat Providence, with Kaskisuo turning away 36 of 37 Providence shots in a game that went to double overtime. The next night the Bulldogs faced a loaded Boston College squad, who ended Duluth’s season. Kaskiuo stopped 31 of 34 en route to a 3-2 loss.
The 22-year-old goaltender went un-drafted through his eligibility while coming up through the Jokerit program, prior to playing a year for the Minnesota Wilderness in the NAHL.
SAVE: @UMDMensHockey Goalie Kasimir Kaskisuo holds the lead with this amazing save. 8 min. left in the 3rd Period. https://t.co/FQ5E6HJGGH
— FOX Sports North (@fsnorth) February 28, 2016
.@MapleLeafs have signed goaltender Kasimir Kaskisuo (U of Minnesota-Duluth) to a 2-year entry level contract (effective 2016-17 & 2017-18)
— Leafs PR (@LeafsPR) March 28, 2016
