Veteran Finnish forward Miikka Salomäki has signed a one-year contract with HC Sparta Prague, the Czech Extraliga club announced on Wednesday.

“I want to win and I believe that we have a good chance with Sparta, even though we haven’t won in a long time,” Salomäki said in an interview on the club’s website, referencing Sparta’s title drought that goes back to 2007. “I know that Sparta is a traditional team and I have only heard good things about the whole organization and the fans, and I also like Prague.”

Salomäki, 31, hails from northern Finland and came of age in the Kärpät system, but he has played abroad since he was 20, save for nine games with IFK Helsinki in 2021-22.

He was picked in the second round, 52nd overall, by the Nashville Predators in 2011. He played 167 regular-season games and 30 playoff games with Nashville between 2014 and 2019, spending the rest of the time with the AHL’s Milwaukee Admirals. He then spent stints in the Toronto Maple Leafs and Colorado Avalanche organizations without playing any NHL games for either team before heading back to Europe in 2021.

Salomäki spent one season in Sweden for Örebro HK and two in Switzerland for Lausanne HC. Last season, he had 25 points in 37 regular-season games and was a key presence for the team as Lausanne advanced to the seventh game of the National League final.

When meeting with Czech media on Wednesday afternoon, he was asked about his physical style of play.

“It’s part of my game,” he replied. “I like to play fast and well-rounded style, and I like winning physical battles.”

Salomäki is the third Finn to sign with Sparta this off-season, joining defenseman Valtteri Kemiläinen and forward Jani Lajunen, the latter being a former teammate in Milwaukee and Örebro.

“I haven’t spoken to Jani yet, but it’s nice to be in the same team again,” said Salomäki. “I can’t wait to meet him and the other guys.”

The “other guys” include goaltender Josef Kořenář, a Utah prospect, defenseman Michal Kempný, and forwards Vladimír Sobotka, Michal Řepík and New Jersey Devils prospect Petr Hauser.