Kärpät, a team in the Finnish SM-liiga, has announced the termination of the contract with star defender Markus Nutivaara, who has decided to sign with Kölner Haie, a team in the German DEL League. Nutivaara, who returned to Kärpät this season, played 35 games and scored 7 goals and 9 assists, making him the team's second most effective defenseman after Jiri Tichacek. His move to Germany is seen as an opportunity for a fresh start and aligns with his personal aspirations.

In the official statement, Nutivaara expressed his happiness at being able to pursue his passion for hockey and mentioned that the new opportunity in Cologne felt like the right decision at this point in his career. Kärppien's sports director Kimmo Kapanen confirmed that they had open discussions with Nutivaara before the decision was made, and they respect his choice to take the opportunity in Kölner Haie.

This move comes at a challenging time for Kärpät, as they currently sit at 14th place in the SM-liiga standings. The loss of Nutivaara, who has been a key player, might impact the team's performance moving forward. The situation highlights the volatility of professional sports contracts and the continuous changes that teams must navigate throughout the season.