Makiniemi Reassigned To Barracuda

WICHITA, Kan. (Jan. 21) – The Wichita Thunder, ECHL affiliate of the NHL's San Jose Sharks, AHL's San Jose Barracuda and powered by Toyota, announced today that the Sharks have reassigned goaltender Eetu Makiniemi (AY-tu MAHK-e-nee-em-ee) to the Barracuda.

Makiniemi, 24, returns to the Barracuda after a 34-save performance on Friday night against Tulsa. In each of his three starts for the Thunder, he has made 30 or more saves. 

He is in his third year in North America. A native of Vantaa, Finland, the 6-foot-2, 183-pound netminder was drafted by the Carolina Hurricanes in the fourth round (#104 overall) during the 2017 NHL Entry Draft.

Makiniemi appeared in 14 games for the AHL's Chicago Wolves in the 2021-22 season. He went 11-2-1 with a 2.06 goals-against average and .922 save percentage. He was acquired by the Sharks as a part of a trade that saw defenseman Brent Burns go to the Hurricanes in 2022. 

Last season, he played in 22 games for the Barracuda while also seeing action in two games for the Sharks. Makiniemi went 8-10-3 with a 2.96 goals-against average and .900 save percentage for the Barracuda. 

Wichita begins a three-game series next Friday in South Carolina against the Stingrays.

Single game tickets are on sale now. Buy tickets for any game this season and come watch the 32nd year of Thunder hockey. Click here to purchase today.

Season tickets for the 2023-24 season are still on sale. Save money by reserving your seats for all the fast-paced, hard-hitting action of every game. Click here to learn more.