Utah D Juuso Valimaki has season-ending ACL surgery

Field Level Media|published: Mon 10th March, 13:12 2025

Jan 26, 2025; Ottawa, Ontario, CAN; Utah defenseman Juuso Valimaki (4) gets in position for a faceoff in the first period against the Ottawa Senators at the Canadian Tire Centre. Mandatory Credit: Marc DesRosiers-Imagn Images

Utah Hockey Club defenseman Juuso Valimaki will be sidelined 8-9 months following surgery to repair a torn ACL, the team announced Monday.

Valimaki, 26, will miss training camp and at least the first month of the 2025-26 season. He is under contract for one more season at $2 million.

He appeared in 43 games this season for Utah and recorded two goals, three assists and 14 penalty minutes.

Valimaki recently cleared waivers and had been on assignment with the AHL's Tucson Roadrunners, where he saw action in one game on Feb. 28.

The Finland native has 72 points (11 goals, 61 assists) in 271 career NHL games with the Calgary Flames (2018-19, 2020-22), the then-Arizona Coyotes (2022-24) and Utah.

--Field Level Media