The Nottingham Panthers have confirmed the deadline day signing of netminder Jere Huhtamaa, following the 24-year-old’s release from the Sheffield Steelers on Monday [17 February].
Huhtamaa arrives in the East Midlands with experience in Europe and North America, including 19 Finnish Liiga appearances for SaiPa and 23 NCAA outings for Merrimack College.
The Helsinki-born shot-stopper recorded a shutout in his only appearance for Finland’s gold medal-winning IIHF World Under-18 Championship in 2018
However, Huhtamaa’s stint with the Steelers proved less fruitful — he allowed 14 goals on 82 shots in three starts, with a 0-3-0 record and a 4.16 goals-against average.
Why did the Sheffield Steelers release Jere Huhtamaa?
The Steelers signed Huhtamaa as injury cover for Matt Greenfield and Marco De-Filippo on 27 November, with both sidelined at the time.
The 2000-born netminder was immediately called into action, but allowed six goals on 31 shots as the Steelers fell 6-3 to the Cardiff Devils on his Elite League debut.
Huhtamaa started Sheffield’s next two games, a 4-2 defeat to the Panthers and a 5-3 loss to the Fife Flyers, before waiting three weeks for his final outing in orange — a 5-1 loss to the Devils, in which he played the final 26 minutes and made 10 saves on 10 shots.
With Greenfield back to full health and Aaron Fox’s preference for dressing homegrown netminders in the back-up role, Huhtamaa was surplus for requirements in Sheffield — hence the decision to release him on deadline day.
Why have the Nottingham Panthers signed Jere Huhtamaa?
The Panthers haven’t had much luck between the pipes this season, starting the campaign with Hunter Vorva and Ryan Bednard as their tandem.
Vorva arrived in Nottingham late (due to an injury), made two appearances, and was forced to return to the United States in late November due to a family emergency.
Roj Stojanovic joined the Panthers on a two-month contract to cover Vorva’s absence, making one appearance as Bednard carried the load in net.
Nottingham inked a half-season deal with Jason Grande following Stojanovic’s planned exit, with the American debuting on New Year’s Eve.
But the injury bug struck again just days later, side-lining Bednard with an undisclosed ailment and leaving the Panthers thin between the pipes.
“When Ryan Bednard suffered an injury at the start of 2025, it was an injury that was especially hard – and still is – to put a specific timeline on,” said Panthers CEO Omar Pacha.
“We initially had hoped Ryan would return by the beginning of February, enabling us to sign another skater.
“But with Ryan not fully recovered and the signing deadline approaching, the club required another goaltender. This was especially important with Ryan not expected to return within the next couple of weeks and with the large number of crucial games we have remaining.
“With Ryan this close to a return, it was best to avoid putting him on IR which would have eliminated the option of him coming back for the regular season.”
How will the Nottingham Panthers use Jere Huhtamaa?
Sparingly.
Jere Huhtamaa, Nottingham Panthers (Image: Merrimack College)
Grande’s emergence as one of the Elite League’s most reliable shot-stoppers has been a game-changer for Nottingham.
The Panthers are 10-4-1 with the 26-year-old between the pipes and remain in the title fight as a result.
Grande leads the Elite League in save percentage (.937) and goals-against average (2.08).
Bednard’s numbers are similarly impressive — a 9.23 save percentage and a 2.24 goals-against average also place him amongst the league’s best.
With that in mind, Huhtamaa is unlikely to see much ice time in Nottingham — and, despite his poor start in Sheffield, he could be fine as a depth piece.
In his last full season in Mestis (the second division in Finland), he upheld a .917 save percentage through 42 appearances.
“Jere is a big goalie who has played in one of the best leagues in the world,” continued Pacha. “He is excited to be coming to Nottingham and being part of the Panthers.”
Huhtamaa is a necessary addition for the Panthers.
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