SIGNING: Clan in safe hands with Karjalainen

The Glasgow Clan, sponsored by Aspray Glasgow West, are delighted to announce the signing of Finnish netminder Antti Karjalainen for the 2023/24 season.

The 27-year-old is the second goalie to join the club, following on from the signing of Jake Kielly last week.

And Karjalainen revealed his thought process behind the decision to come to Glasgow and join the Clan.

“I am really looking forward to be coming to Glasgow,” he said.  “I heard a lot of positive things about the league and the atmosphere around the games, especially there.

“The main reason I signed was the opportunity for me to play at a higher level. I heard the organisation is developing and taking steps in the right direction.

“There are a lot of positive changes and I’m excited to get to work on the ice as well as meet my new team-mates and new people.

“Everybody knows it won’t be easy in the beginning after lots of changes going on, but with the right people it can create something special and I want to be part of that.”

Karjalainen makes the move to Scotland from Slovenian side HDD Jesenice, who play in the Alps Hockey League and he helped them to their first championship, beating Cortina in six games.

The 6’ 2” Finn also has experience of the CHL, dressing in games for Lukko and HPK, with whom he featured in the Spengler Cup in 2017.

Karjalainen also enjoyed a spell on loan with DEL 2 side Löwen Frankfurt during the 2017-18 where he worked with former Clan coach Paul Gardner.

Head coach Jason Morgan is pleased to have landed Karjalainen and is keen to see him work closely with his new team-mates.

“I’m thrilled to welcome our second goalie in Antti Karjalainen and he’s competed in the Champions Hockey League and Spengler Cup, as well as in the top league in Finland,” he said.

“He’s coming in on the back of an excellent season with Jesenice in the Alps Hockey League and his figures show that.

“Antti has great work ethic and a ton of experience, plus he’s a great team-mate and I’m looking forward to seeing him working with Jake Kielly in being a great goalie duo for us.”

Karjalainen will wear the #46 jersey and joins Robert Lachowicz, Alex Forbes, Ryan Harrison, Jordan Cownie, Gary Haden, Philippe Sanche, Jordan Buesa, Charlie Combs, Jake Kielly and Dyson Stevenson on the roster for 2023/24.