After playing junior hockey with Lukko, including three Master of Science-liiga games as a backup, Tarkki studied at the Northern Michigan University and played four years of college hockey, being named the top goalie in the National Collegiate Athletic Association in 2005.
After college hockey he spent a year in the minor leagues before returning to Finland to replace the injured Andy Chiodo as the Kärpät starting goaltender. This was the first time in the league that two brothers had played against each other in goal. Tuomas made 31 saves and registered a shutout while Iiro, five years his junior, allowed four goals on 20 shots.
