Nikolas Matinpalo

Nikolas Matinpalo (born 5 October 1998) is a Finnish professional ice hockey defenceman for the Ottawa Senators of the National Hockey League (NHL).^[1]

Nikolas Matinpalo
Born	(1998-10-05) 5 October 1998 (age 26) Espoo, Finland
Height	6 ft 3 in (191 cm)
Weight	207 lb (94 kg; 14 st 11 lb)
Position	Defence
Shoots	Right
NHL team Former teams	Ottawa Senators Ilves Ässät
National team	Finland
NHL draft	Undrafted
Playing career	2018–present

Playing career

Matinpalo made his Liiga debut with Ilves during the 2018–19 season.^[2] In January 2021, Matinpalo was traded to Ässät.

Following the 2022–23 season, his sixth year in the Liiga, Matinpalo was signed as an undrafted free agent to a one-year, entry-level contract with the National Hockey League (NHL)'s Ottawa Senators on 26 May 2023.^[3] Matinpalo attended the 2023 Senators training camp but did not make the team. He was assigned to Ottawa's American Hockey League (AHL) affiliate, the Belleville Senators, to begin the 2023–24 season.^[4] After injuries to Thomas Chabot and Erik Brännström, Matinpalo was recalled by Ottawa on 28 October.^[5] Matinpalo played in his first NHL game the same day, a 5–2 win over the Pittsburgh Penguins.^[6] He was returned to Belleville after four games with Ottawa on 10 November.^[7] Matinpalo spent the rest of the season with Belleville and appeared in the Calder Cup playoffs with them. On 20 June 2024 Matinpalo signed a one-year, two-way contract extension with Ottawa.^[8]

Matinpalo passed through waivers, going unclaimed, and was assigned to Belleville to start the 2024–25 season.^[9] Matinpalo was recalled to Ottawa in December as an injury replacement.

International play

Matinpalo represented Finland during the 2023 IIHF world championship.^[10] In February 2025 Matinpalo was called up to Finland roster replacing defenseman Rasmus Ristolainen during the Four Nations Face-Off.^[11]

Career statistics

Regular season and playoffs

				Regular season						Playoffs
Season	Team	League		GP	G	A	Pts	PIM		GP	G	A	Pts	PIM
2016–17	Blues	Jr. A		33	1	6	7	37		2	0	1	1	0
2017–18	Blues	Jr. A		52	7	14	21	59		4	0	0	0	2
2018–19	Ilves	Liiga		30	2	4	6	10		7	0	0	0	4
2018–19	KOOVEE	Mestis		2	0	0	0	0		—	—	—	—	—
2019–20	Ilves	Liiga		33	0	1	1	47		—	—	—	—	—
2019–20	KOOVEE	Mestis		13	1	2	3	10		—	—	—	—	—
2020–21	Ilves	Liiga		11	0	0	0	6		—	—	—	—	—
2020–21	KOOVEE	Mestis		1	0	1	1	0		—	—	—	—	—
2020–21	Ässät	Liiga		30	1	2	3	18		—	—	—	—	—
2021–22	Ässät	Liiga		50	4	4	8	20		—	—	—	—	—
2022–23	Ässät	Liiga		51	7	9	16	20		8	0	4	4	4
2023–24	Belleville Senators	AHL		67	4	10	14	26		7	0	0	0	4
2023–24	Ottawa Senators	NHL		4	0	0	0	0		—	—	—	—	—
2024–25	Belleville Senators	AHL		24	2	6	8	10		—	—	—	—	—
2024–25	Ottawa Senators	NHL		41	1	3	4	20		6	0	0	0	2
Liiga totals				205	14	20	34	121		15	0	4	4	8
NHL totals				45	1	3	4	20		6	0	0	0	2

International

Year	Team	Event	Result		GP	G	A	Pts	PIM
2023	Finland	WC	7th		8	1	2	3	0
2025	Finland	4NF	4th		3	0	0	0	2
2025	Finland	WC	7th		8	1	1	2	4
Senior totals					19	2	3	5	6