California 18U defenseman Kivinen signs NAHL tender
The California Titans of the North American Prospects Hockey League (NAPHL) are proud to announce that 18U defenseman Mikko Kivinen has signed an NAHL tender with the Minnesota Magicians. The Magicians are the newest addition to the NAHL and will begin play in the 2013-14 out of Richfield, Minnesota.
Kivinen, 18, just completed his second full season with the California Titans 18U team in the NAPHL. This past season was one of Kivinen’s (6’2/190) best as the native of Pori, Finland, posted a career high nine points (1 goal, 8 assists) in 19 NAPHL regular season games. His one goal was a game-winner in a 2-0 win over Phoenix back on October 20th.
He also appeared in all five playoff games as the Titans lost in the Silver (Consolation) group finals this season to the San Jose Jr. Sharks, 3-2.
Last season, Kivinen played in 17 regular season games with the Titans 18U team during the regular season, recording six points, which were all assists. In the playoffs, Kivinen played an important part of the Titans playoff run to the NAPHL Championship title as he recorded two points in five playoff games.
Kivinen is the fourth member of the California Titans 18U team to sign an NAHL tender this season joining teammates Quinton Wunder (Soo Eagles), Liam Stirtzinger (Texas Tornado) and Nick Wallace (Bismarck Bobcats).
See the complete NAPHL to NAHL 2012-13 tender list here
A tender is a contract, of sorts, a player signs announcing his intentions to play for that particular NAHL team and that NAHL team only. Once a player signs a tender with an NAHL team, his playing rights belong to that team within the NAHL and he may not be recruited by any other NAHL team. Each team is granted ten (10) tenders, which include two (2) tenders exclusively used on players from the NAPHL - plus or minus any trades - which become active on Nov. 1. Tendered players are not eligible for the NAHL draft, which will be held on June 4, 2013.
