Penguins’ Olli Maatta to begin Finnish army service on April 18
Penguins defenseman Olli Maatta is scheduled to begin his service in the Finnish army on April 18, but his start date can be postponed if Pittsburgh makes the playoffs, reports Juha Hiitelä of Urheilusanomat.
Finnish men must complete at least six months of service between the ages of 18 and 28. Maatta’s service can be completed over two off-season stints.
Maatta, 21, signed a six-year, $24.4 million contract extension with the Penguins last month. In 62 games this season, he has 18 points off six goals and 12 assists.
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Maatta was drafted as the No. 22 pick in the 2012 NHL draft. In 160 career games, he has 56 points after missing most of the 2013–14 season due to a battle with cancer as well as a shoulder injury.
The Penguins are 36–24–8, and stand in fourth place in Metropolitan Division.