HELSINKI - FINLAND Jokerit has signed one of the biggest names of this off season. With the start of the season just around the corner Jokerit General Manager, Jarmo Kekalainen has announced that his team has agreed terms with NHL forward Petteri Nokelainen.

Nokelainen, 24, joins Jokerit with a two year contract that includes an option of the player moving back to the NHL or the KHL after the first year of the contract. Nokelainen is a charachter player and has represented four different teams in the NHL, including Anaheim Ducks and Phoenix Coyotes.

"We are delighted to have a player of Nokelainen's calibre in our team," Kekalainen said in a statement. "He is a young player who wants to rise to the top and despite his young age he has tremendeous leadership capabilities."

Nokelainen is a first round draft pick by the New York Islanders from 2004 and has 17 goals and 17 assists in 189 NHL games.

Contact Janne.Virtanen@prohockeynews.com