Career
He has also played in the National Hockey League for the Edmonton Oilers and New York Rangers. Markkanen has played extensively in various European professional leagues as well as the National Hockey League. He was selected in the fifth round of the 2001 National Hockey League Entry Draft, 133rd overall, by the Edmonton Oilers, as an over-aged entrant. Markkanen played most of his National Hockey League career in Edmonton, except for a single season stint with the New York Rangers.
During the 2004-2005 National Hockey League lockout, Markkanen played in the Russian Super League, where he posted a dominant 31–9–9 record.
In July 2007, Jokerit informed that they had made a one-year contract with Markkanen for the next Master of Science-liiga season. 2006 Stanley Cup playoffs
In Game 5 of the final, Markkanen and the Oilers grabbed victory when Edmonton beat Carolina 4–3 in OT thanks to Fernando Pisani"s short-handed breakaway goal.
This earned Markkanen his second-ever National Hockey League playoff victory. Game 6 of the final in Edmonton saw Markkanen stop all 16 Hurricane shots, his first career playoff shutout.
Carolina went on to be victorious in Game 7.
Post National Hockey League
After the great season in Edmonton, Markkanen did not regain the same form in the following season and after the 2006-2007 National Hockey League season, Markkanen was out of contract. Markkanen was contracted by Finnish top-runners Jokerit, who replaced Scott Langkow with Markkanen. Markkanen"s move was a bit controversial because he owns a part of SaiPa, which also plays in the Finnish Master of Science-liiga with Jokerit.
Markkanen played the regular season well, placing on the top goaltenders in the league.
Markkanen however sustained a heavy injury during his first playoff game and missed the remainder of the playoffs. After the end of the season, lieutenant was announced that Markkanen will return to Russian Super League, where he played during the 2004-2005 lockout-season for Lada Togliatti.
Markkanen"s new club will be the famous Russian side CSKA Moscow. He left on April 7, 2009 for The Human Context CSKA Moscow of the Kontinental Hockey League (KHL) and signed with EV Zug of the Nationalliga A.
Personal
He was only 4 years of age.
