(Update) Goalie Larmi Leaves Penguins, North America for Home

It appears that Pittsburgh Penguins goaltender prospect Emil Larmi has decided to walk away from North American hockey, at least for the time being.

The undrafted Finnish goalie, 24, indicated that decision on an Instagram post that appeared Sunday.

After three successful years with HPK Hameenlinna in Finland, he spent the past two seasons playing for the Penguins’ minor-league affiliates, Wilkes-Barre/Scranton of the American Hockey League and Wheeling of the ECHL but also spent time this year on the NHL taxi squad that was allowed under COVID-19 rules.

With Wilkes-Barre this season, he was 1-4-1 with a 4.87 goals-against average and an .845 save percentage.

The Penguins signed him to an entry-level contract two years ago.

Larmi was something of a favorite at Penguins summer development camps. He not only showed a great deal of athleticism but also flashed a great sense of humor that also has been seen on his social media accounts.

He will live on in Penguins history; he was included in the official 2020-21 team photo.

Here is his post. Keep in mind that English is not his first language:

“While finishing packing the apartment where I haven’t even been in three months, I finally had a moment to make this post. Last two years have definitely been the toughest years of my life. It feels like Edward Murphy has been following me all the time with his laws. It’s pretty clear that things didn’t went as planned. Lot of bad luck, bad timing and even worse results. There have been times when I’ve just wanted to leave everything and I bet I’ve been through every bad thought a person can have. Even though this might be the most negative post I’ve ever done, that’s not the whole truth. In the end I’m grateful what I’ve experienced and what these years have done to me as a human being. I’m grateful of the people I have around me and who have kept my head above the water. I kinda feel like the kid who came to the States two years ago is going back as a man, on and off the ice.

“Now it’s a good time to focus on something else than chasing the dream here. It’s not a good bye, it’s see you later. Don’t know when, but some day. Just huge thanks to everyone who’ve been here with me. Now I just can’t wait to get back home.”

UPDATE: Larmi’s move was confirmed via press release as the goalie signed with his hometown team, the Lahti Pelicans of the Finnish Liga. Larmi played in his hometown as a junior in 2015-16 and won the U20 World Championship.