Jani Nyman Fast Facts
Number: 38 Position: Forward
DOB: 5/31/96 Hometown: Valkeakoski, Finland Height: 6-2 Weight: 212
How Acquired By Kraken: 2022 Draft, 2nd Round
NHL Seasons as of 2025: 1
Previous NHL Teams: None
Notable: Nyman scored three goals in 12 Kraken games last season.
Let’s talk about hard shots.
Tom Watson’s amazing chip-in at the 17th hole of the U.S. Open in 1982. That was a hard shot. Polmos Spirytus Rektyfikowany, a 192 Proof (96% alcohol) Polish vodka, has been described as like getting punched in the stomach. That would be a hard shot. The folk hero William Tell is said to have split an apple in two with an arrow from his crossbow. The apple at the time was resting on the head of his son, and the act of marksmanship saved both their lives. That was a really hard shot.
Then there’s Jani Nyman. Former Kraken coach Dan Bylsma recalled, “He scared the living daylights out of all of us when he stepped on the ice. He’s got a whip of a shot. An absolute NHL shot, and he terrorizes goaltenders.”
Nyman is a 2022 2nd round draft choice of the Seattle Kraken. The winger first impressed Kraken brass with his play in a Finnish pro league against older, more experienced competition.
Many Kraken prospects, when their seasons end, join AHL Coachella Valley to get a taste of North American pro hockey. But Nyman (pronounced NEW-man) was one of the few to suit up during the Firebirds’ 2024 playoff run. Nyman scored two goals in five regular season Firebirds games, and one more in nine postseason contests.
The Finnish rookie made an unforgettable NHL debut last Mar. 12 at Climate Pledge Arena. The visiting Montreal Canadiens took a penalty midway through the 3rd period. Kraken VP of broadcasting Ryan Schaber explained, “His family flew over from Finland, and his parents are in the stands.”
KHN Screengrab
With the Kraken trailing by two goals, Nyman authored a storybook chapter – with the help of Jordan Eberle, who broke into the league when Jani was six years old. From behind the goal line on a power play, Eberle sees Nyman streaking down the slot.
In a (Finnish) flash, Nyman turns pass into shot before Montreal goalie Jakub Dobes can react. “An amazing pass,” Nyman said with a huge grin. “Easy work to score. It’s almost an empty net.” The feel-good emotion of Nyman’s parents celebrating went viral in social media posts and feature stories.
KHN Screengrab
In the first preseason game of the 2025-26 season, Nyman strengthened his case with a pair of 2nd period goals. In another preseason game, Nyman showed off both offensive and defensive skills. He crouches and turns his body sideways, as players are taught to do, to block a shot. Then, he intercepts a centering pass at the end of a long shift and fires into an empty net from 150 feet away.