Former Penguins forward Ville Niemenen has been hired as head coach of MODO of the Allsvenskan, a second-tier league in Sweden.
The team announced his hiring on Tuesday.
After retiring as a professional player following the 2014-15 season, Nieminen has served as a head or assistant coach primarily in professional leagues within his native Finland over the past five seasons. In November, he was fired early in his second season with Pelicans of Finland’s Liiga.
Nieminen, 43, spent parts of two seasons with the Penguins in 2001-02 and 2002-03. The primary return in a 2002 trade which sent popular defenseman Darius Kasparaitis to the Colorado Avalanche, Nieminen, a rambunctious agitating forward, appeared in 88 games for the Penguins and recorded 24 points (10 goals, 14 assists) as well as 101 penalty minutes.
In addition to the Penguins and Avalanche, Nieminen’s NHL career also saw him play for the Chicago Blackhawks, Calgary Flames, New York Rangers, San Jose Sharks and St. Louis Blues. He was a member of Colorado’s 2001 Stanley Cup team.
