Nikolas Matinpalo

Nikolas Matinpalo (born October 5, 1998) is a Finnish professional ice hockey defenceman. He is currently playing for the Belleville Senators of the American Hockey League (AHL) as a prospect for the Ottawa Senators of the National Hockey League (NHL).

Playing career
Matinpalo made his Liiga debut with Ilves during the 2018–19 Liiga season.

Following the 2022–23 season, his sixth year in the Liiga, Matinpalo was signed as an undrafted free agent to a one-year, entry-level contract with the National Hockey League (NHL)'s Ottawa Senators on 26 May 2023. Matinpalo attended the 2023 Senators training camp but did not make the team. He was assigned to Ottawa's American Hockey League (AHL) affiliate, the Belleville Senators, to begin the 2023–24 season. After injuries to Thomas Chabot and Erik Brännström, Matinpalo was recalled by Ottawa on October 28. Matinpalo played in his first NHL game the same day, a 5–2 win over the Pittsburgh Penguins. He was returned to Belleville after four games with Ottawa on November 10. Matinpalo spent the rest of the season with Belleville and appeared in the Calder Cup playoffs with them. On 20 June 2024 Matinpalo signed a one-year, two-way contract extension with Ottawa.