Follwoing a strong season in one of Europe's strongest professional leagues, 22-year old forward Ville Petman is ready to make the jump to North America.
The Seattle Kraken formally announced they signed Petman on Thursday to two-year contract, average annual value worth $791,250.
Petman, expected to join the team later this summer at development camp and this fall at training camp, is the latest addition in a depth chart build with the Kraken opening their exclusive American Hockey League affiliate next season in the Coachella Valley Firebirds. He led Saimaan Pallo of SM-Liiga in Finland this season with 39 points in 59 games, a team led by general manager, co-owner, and former NHL goaltender Jussi Markkanen.
“Ville had a good year last season in Finland’s top league and combines offensive and defensive instincts,” said Kraken general manager Ron Francis in a team statement.
Petman, who registers at a smaller 5-foot-10 and 180-pound frame but can play both center and the left wing positions, led SaiPa in all major scoring categories with 15 goals and 24 assists while pacing the team with seven power play goals. This season was a gigantic step forward in offensive progress - he only had a goal and an assist in 40 games last year and his previous career high was set two years ago with eight points.
Nobody on the team earned more ice time as a forward this season than Petman, registering 18:58 per game.
Petman suited up for Finland two years ago at the World Junior Championships, scoring a goal in seven games.