Henri Kiviaho Recalled to Texas Stars, Likely to Pursue European Opportunities

(Credit: Christina Shapiro/Texas Stars)

The Texas Stars have recalled goaltender Henri Kiviaho to the AHL. The move has less to do with any of the goalies in Texas or Idaho, but I believe more to do with the Stars giving Kiviaho a chance to pursue opportunities in Europe.

Kiviaho played a single game this season in the ECHL, getting injured and missing the rest of the season until now. His return to health comes at a time when the Stars are set in net across the system, to the point that they've assigned goaltenders outside of the organization (Desrosiers in Norfolk).

Kiviaho was a long shot to make it to the show, and I was always a bit puzzled that he came back to North America after spending last year in Finland. He will not play for Texas, given the status of their goaltenders currently. I believe he will instead head to Europe to pursue a chance at playing there now that he is healthy. Given his Finnish nationality and previous experience in that league, my guess would be the Finnish SM-liiga or one of its minor leagues.