Career
Jokerit
Niko Hovinen"s Master of Science-liiga career started during the 2005-2006 season when Hovinen dressed for a single regular-season Jokerit game as backup to Joonas Hallikainen, after Tim Thomas abruptly left the team only a day before the start of the 2005-2006 regular season. Hovinen returned to the junior team for the rest of the season. He made his first Master of Science-liiga start on November 23, 2006, against SaiPa, again called up when three Jokerit goaltenders were injured.
During the 2007-2008 season, Hovinen served as backup to Jussi Markkanen.
Hovinen was relegated to northern 3 goaltender when Jokerit acquired Joni Puurula from SaiPa just before the end of regular season.
Hovinen dressed up to serve as backup for Joni Puurula in several games during the 2007-2008 playoffs as Jussi Markkanen got himself injured during the first game of playoffs. Pelicans
During the off-season of 2007-2008 Master of Science-liiga season, Niko Hovinen was contracted to Pelicans.
Foreign the first time, Niko Hovinen will play outside of Jokerit-organization in 2008-2009 season.
A tall goaltender at 196 cm, Hovinen covers the Netto very well and is considered a highly promising goaltender prospect. Hovinen was ranked #10 on the International Scouting Service"s list of goaltender prospects for the 2006 National Hockey League Entry Draft. He was drafted in the fifth round, 132nd overall, by the Minnesota Wild.
North America
Hovinen signed a two-year entry level contract with the National Hockey League"s Philadelphia Flyers on May 17, 2011.
He remained with the Pelicans through the 2011-2012 season. On January 25, 2013 the Edmonton Oilers claimed Hovinen off unconditional waivers.
He was assigned to AHL affiliate, the Oklahoma City Barons, where he remained to end the 2013-2014 season. On July 2, 2013, Hovinen"s National Hockey League rights were retained by the Oilers after he was tendered a qualifying offer.
He opted to return to Europe signing a contract with Metallurg Novokuznetsk of the Kontinental Hockey League.