Esa Pirnes

Esa Pirnes (born April 1 1977 in Oulu, Finland) is a Finnish professional ice hockey centre playing for EV Zug in the Swiss National League A.

Draft
He was drafted by the Los Angeles Kings in the 2003 NHL Entry Draft in the 6th round as the 174th pick overall.

Playing career
Pirnes started his career with Kärpät in the Finnish second league in 1995 and played with them until 1999, when he signed with SM-Liiga club Espoo Blues. He stayed with the Blues for two seasons before he moved to rivals Tappara in 2001. In 2003 he was drafted by the Kings after four good seasons in SM-Liiga. Pirnes went over the Atlantic Ocean to play in the NHL. But he didn't have the same success in NHL as he had in Finland. Despite playing 57 games with LA he only scored 11 points. Before the season was over he also played a few games with the Kings's farm team, Manchester Monarchs of the AHL. But he didn't stay in the NHL, instead he went back home to Finland and signed with Lukko for the 2004/05 season. After one year in Lukko he moved back to his former club, Blues. But after the season he signed with his fifth club in five years, Swedish club Färjestads BK, for the 2006/07 season. In Färjestad he will reunited with his former teammate from Lukko, Janne Niskala. In the Season 2008/2009 Pirnes signed to play for HC Atlant Moscow (Former Khimik Moscow Oblast`) and left the club on 06 May 2009 the club to sign with Jokerit.