Eetu Luostarinen (born 2 September 1998) is a Finnish professional

ice hockey Ice hockey (or simply hockey) is a team sport played on ice skates, usually on an ice skating rink with lines and markings specific to the sport. It belongs to a family of sports called hockey. In ice hockey, two opposing teams use ice hock ...

center Center or centre may refer to: Mathematics *Center (geometry), the middle of an object * Center (algebra), used in various contexts ** Center (group theory) ** Center (ring theory) * Graph center, the set of all vertices of minimum eccentricity ...

who plays with the

Florida Panthers The Florida Panthers are a professional ice hockey team based in the Miami metropolitan area. They compete in the National Hockey League (NHL) as a member of the Atlantic Division (NHL), Atlantic Division in the Eastern Conference (NHL), Eastern ...

of the

National Hockey League The National Hockey League (NHL; french: Ligue nationale de hockey—LNH, ) is a professional ice hockey league in North America comprising 32 teams—25 in the United States and 7 in Canada. It is considered to be the top ranked professional ...

(NHL). He was drafted in the second round, 42nd overall, by the

Carolina Hurricanes The Carolina Hurricanes (colloquially known as the Canes) are a professional ice hockey team based in Raleigh, North Carolina. They compete in the National Hockey League (NHL) as a member of the Metropolitan Division in the Eastern Conference, ...

in the

2017 NHL Entry Draft The 2017 NHL Entry Draft was the 55th NHL Entry Draft. The draft was held on June 23–24, 2017, at the United Center in Chicago, Illinois. The first three selections were Nico Hischier going to the New Jersey Devils, Nolan Patrick going to the ...

Playing career

Luostarinen began playing for KalPa after previously spending time in their junior teams, making his professional debut in the

2016–17 Liiga season The 2016–17 Liiga season was the 42nd season of the Liiga (formerly SM-liiga), the top level of ice hockey in Finland, since the league's formation in 1975. Teams Regular season The top six teams advance directly to the quarter-finals, whil ...

. During his rookie season, on 4 January 2017, Luostarinen was signed to a three-year extension to remain with KalPa through 2020. In the 2018–19 season, Luostarinen ranked tied for first in goals with 15 and finished second for KalPa with 36 points in 54 regular season games. On 30 May 2019, Luostarinen left KalPa using his NHL out-clause to sign a three-year, entry-level contract with the

. In the 2019–20 season, Luostarinen began his first North American season with the Hurricanes AHL affiliate, the

Charlotte Checkers The Charlotte Checkers are a minor-league professional ice hockey team based in Charlotte, North Carolina. They are members of the Atlantic Division of the Eastern Conference in the American Hockey League (AHL), and are the top minor league affi ...

. Showing early offensive potential with 7 points in 10 games, Luostarinen received his first recall to Carolina on 7 November 2019. He made his NHL debut with the Hurricanes that day in a 4-2 defeat to the

New York Rangers The New York Rangers are a professional ice hockey team based in the New York City borough of Manhattan. They compete in the National Hockey League (NHL) as a member of the Metropolitan Division in the Eastern Conference. The team plays its home ...

at the

PNC Arena PNC Arena (originally Raleigh Entertainment & Sports Arena and formerly the RBC Center) is an indoor arena located in Raleigh, North Carolina. The arena seats 18,680 for ice hockey and 19,722 for basketball, including 61 suites, 13 loge boxes an ...

. He registered his first point, an assist, in his third game during a 8-2 victory over the

Ottawa Senators The Ottawa Senators (french: Sénateurs d'Ottawa), officially the Ottawa Senators Hockey Club and colloquially known as the Sens, are a professional ice hockey team based in Ottawa. They compete in the National Hockey League (NHL) as a membe ...

on 11 November 2019. After 8 games with the Hurricanes, Luostarinen was returned to continue his season with the Checkers. On 24 February, at the NHL trade deadline, Luostarinen was traded by the Hurricanes along with

Erik Haula Erik Haula (born 23 March 1991) is a Finnish professional ice hockey center for the New Jersey Devils of the National Hockey League (NHL). He has previously played for the Minnesota Wild, Vegas Golden Knights, Carolina Hurricanes, Florida Panther ...

Lucas Wallmark Lucas Wallmark (born 5 September 1995) is a Swedish professional ice hockey center who is currently playing for ZSC Lions of the National League (NL). He was selected by the Carolina Hurricanes in the fourth round, 97th overall, at the 2014 NHL E ...

and

Chase Priskie Chase Evans Priskie (born March 19, 1996) is an American professional ice hockey defenseman currently playing for the Rochester Americans of the American Hockey League (AHL), as a prospect for the Buffalo Sabres of the National Hockey League (NH ...

to the Florida Panthers in exchange for

Vincent Trocheck Vincent Trocheck (born July 11, 1993) is an American professional ice hockey center for the New York Rangers of the National Hockey League (NHL). He was selected by the Florida Panthers in the third round, 64th overall, of the 2011 NHL Entry Draf ...

on 24 February 2020. He was immediately re-assigned to AHL affiliate, the

Springfield Thunderbirds The Springfield Thunderbirds are a minor league professional ice hockey team in the American Hockey League that began play for the 2016–17 season. They are the affiliate of the National Hockey League The National Hockey League (NHL; fren ...

. On 18 August 2020, Luostarinen agreed to return to former Liiga club KalPa on loan until the commencement of the delayed 2020–21 North American season.

Career statistics

Regular season and playoffs

International

References

External links

* 1998 births Living people Carolina Hurricanes draft picks Carolina Hurricanes players Charlotte Checkers (2010–) players KalPa players Finnish ice hockey centres Florida Panthers players Springfield Thunderbirds players People from Siilinjärvi {{Finland-icehockey-centre-stub