Career
Nieminen started his professional hockey career with Tappara in the Finnish Master of Science-liiga, in the 1994-1995 season. He was drafted by the Colorado Avalanche as their third-round pick, #78 overall, in the 1997 National Hockey League Entry Draft. Nieminen has a relaxed personality outside the rink and his odd sense of humour is his trademark.
Nieminen has played for several teams in the National Hockey League, and spent the 2004-2005 lockout season playing for his home team, Tappara.
He signed with the New York Rangers for the 2005-2006 National Hockey League season, and was traded to San Jose on March 8, 2006. He represented Finland in international play at the 2004 World Cup of Hockey, and when he was unable to compete at the 2005 IIHF World Championships, he provided commentary on Finnish television with fellow National Hockey League player Tuomo Ruutu.
Ville is a popular colour commentator due to his sense of humour and knowledge of the game. On February 27, 2007, he was traded to the Saint Louis Blues.
His contract expired in July, and he signed a two-year contract with the Malmö Redhawks, then of the Swedish Allsvenskan.
After a single season Nieminen returned to his native land signing with his original club Tappara of the Master of Science-liiga. On June 16, 2010, Nieminen signed a one-year contract with Russian team, The Human Context Sibir Novosibirsk, of the KHL. On May 6, 2011, Nieminen signed a one-year deal to remain in Russia Neftekhimik Nizhnekamsk. During the 2011-2012 season, Nieminen remained unsettled, and moved twice in stints with Dinamo Riga and Örebro Hong Kong of the HockeyAllsvenskan.
Nieminen returned to Finland the following season, re-joining original club, Tappara on a two-year deal on May 2, 2012.
During the 2012-2013 season, Nieminen enjoyed a scoring resurgence, leading the team with 22 goals and 50 points in a second place regular season finish. He helped Tappara to a silver medal finish in the playoffs, leading the league with 41 penalty minutes.
Nieminen played a final professional season in 2014-2015 with Lukko, scoring 14 points in 50 games, before opting to pursue a coaching career as head coach with Mestis club KeuPa.