Taken 91st overall by the Penguins
The Kingston Frontenacs Hockey Club has announced the signing of Finnish defenceman Emil Pieniniemi to an OHL Scholarship and Development agreement. Pieniniemi, who was drafted by the Pittsburgh Penguins in the 2023 NHL Entry Draft as the 91st overall pick, joins the Frontenacs after being selected 10th overall in the 2023 CHL Import Draft.
Standing 6’2” and weighing 176 lbs, Pieniniemi hails from Kuopio, Finland. He spent most of the 2023-24 season with Kärpät in Liiga and played for Finland at the 2024 World Junior Hockey Championships. Pieniniemi is also expected to return for Finland in the 2025 World Juniors.
He signed a three-year, entry-level contract with the Penguins in July 2023 and was assigned to Wilkes-Barre/Scranton for the 2024 Calder Cup Playoffs but did not play.