Saku Mäenalanen is a Finnish professional ice hockey forward, born on May 29, 1994, in Tornio, Finland.
Standing at 6 feet 4 inches, he is known for his size, skating speed, physical play, and versatility as a winger who can also play center.
Mäenalanen was selected by the Nashville Predators in the fifth round (125th overall) of the 2013 NHL Entry Draft but never played for them.
He has built a career across multiple leagues, including the Finnish Liiga, KHL, NHL, and currently the Swiss National League (NL).
Siblings
Saku has one sibling, a brother named Samuli Mäenalanen.
However, information about Samuli siblings is limited and not widely documented in mainstream hockey profiles or biographies.
Career
Mäenalanen developed through the Oulun Kärpät junior system in Finland.
He made his Liiga debut with Kärpät in the 2013–14 season and had a loan stint with Lahti Pelicans.
His breakout came in the 2017–18 season with Kärpät, where he recorded 17 goals and 46 points in 59 games, followed by strong playoff contributions that helped secure the Liiga championship (Kanada-malja).
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In May 2018, he signed with the Carolina Hurricanes, reuniting with former junior teammate Sebastian Aho.
After starting in the AHL with the Charlotte Checkers, he made his NHL debut in December 2018 and scored his first NHL goal shortly after.
He played 34 NHL games for Carolina in 2018–19, totaling 8 points.
Unable to agree on a new contract, he returned to Europe and joined Jokerit in the KHL for two seasons.
In 2021, he returned to Kärpät in the Liiga, leading the team in scoring with 41 points in 47 games during the 2021–22 season.
He opted out for an NHL opportunity with the Winnipeg Jets in 2022, appearing in a career-high 64 regular-season games and adding playoff experience.
After a brief tryout with the Colorado Avalanche in 2023 that did not result in a contract, Mäenalanen signed with SCL Tigers in the Swiss NL, where he has continued his professional career as a reliable forward.
Accolades
Mäenalanen’s honors include winning the Liiga championship (Kanada-malja) with Oulun Kärpät in 2018.
On the international stage, he has represented Finland with distinction, earning gold at the 2022 Winter Olympics in Beijing and silver at the 2021 IIHF World Championship.
He also contributed to a gold medal at the 2014 World Junior Championship, where he was the tournament’s leading goal scorer.
Additional senior World Championship appearances and a Junior A SM-liiga All-Star Team selection in 2012–13 round out his achievements.
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