The Corriere del Ticino reported this morning that HC Lugano and Sami Niku had been in negotiations for several weeks. The goal would have bene to make the Finn part of the Bianconeri's roster for the remainder of the season.
However, the Finn chose to stay in Finland and will suit up for Ilves for the rest of the season. He will join the team tomorrow.
Sami Niku, who was drafted by the Winnipeg Jets and played five seasons in North America, already played junior hockey for JYP and returned to the team after his stint in the NHL/AHL. This season, he recorded eleven goals and 26 assists in 37 games for the Liiga team.
