Markus Lehto
Finnish NHL Pipeline

Finland

$275M

Key Facts

Agency / company: THE·TEAM, formerly Wasserman Hockey / Acme World Sports
Role / title: Executive Vice President / NHLPA Certified Agent
Agency website: https://the.team/sports-talent/hockey/
X: https://x.com/Lehtomar
Primary markets: NHL, Finnish players, European prospects, goaltenders, centers, RFA/UFA contracts, North America-Europe pathways

About Markus Lehto

Markus Lehto is an Executive Vice President in THE·TEAM’s hockey division and is listed by THE·TEAM/Wasserman materials as an NHLPA Certified Agent. He is part of the agency’s senior hockey leadership group alongside Dave Gagner, Judd Moldaver, Rich Evans, Kurt Overhardt, Simo Niiranen, Pete Rutili, and others.

Lehto’s reputation is closely tied to Finnish and broader European NHL representation. Acme World Sports was co-founded by Markus Lehto and Bill Zito and had accumulated 52 NHL-contracted players before Wasserman acquired it in 2020.

Lehto is listed with 19 active NHL contracts, about $275M in active contract value, and about $47M in active cap hit. His active NHL book is led by Roope Hintz, Teuvo Teräväinen, Esa Lindell, Anton Lundell, Jesperi Kotkaniemi, Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen, Joonas Korpisalo, and Niko Mikkola.

Key Facts

• NHLPA certification: NHLPA Certified Agent

• Active NHL contracts represented: 19

• Total active contract value: $275M

• Total active cap hit / AAV represented: $47M

• Average active cap hit: $3,6M

• Future contract extensions listed: 1, worth $40M total

• Largest active contract: Roope Hintz – $67.6M total, $8.45M AAV

• Most notable clients: Roope Hintz, Teuvo Teräväinen, Esa Lindell, Anton Lundell, Jesperi Kotkaniemi, Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen, Niko Mikkola

• Primary client type: Finnish NHL players, European prospects, centers, defensemen, goaltenders

  Client Roster

1. Roope Hintz (Dallas Stars) – C – Finland – $8.45M AAV – $67.6M total – expires 2030-31

2. Teuvo Teräväinen (Chicago Blackhawks) – RW/LW – Finland – $5.4M AAV – $16.2M total – expires 2026-27

3. Esa Lindell (Dallas Stars) – D – Finland – $5.25M AAV – $26.25M total – expires 2029-30

4. Anton Lundell (Florida Panthers) – C – Finland – $5M AAV – $30M total – expires 2029-30

5. Jesperi Kotkaniemi (Carolina Hurricanes) – C – Finland – $4.82M AAV – $38.56M total – expires 2029-30

6. Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen (Buffalo Sabres) – G – Finland – $4.75M AAV – $23.75M total – expires 2028-29

7. Joonas Korpisalo (Boston Bruins) – G – Finland – $4M AAV – $20M total – expires 2027-28

8. Niko Mikkola (Florida Panthers) – D – Finland – $2.5M AAV – $7.5M active deal – expires 2025-26

9. Kasperi Kapanen (Edmonton Oilers) – RW – Finland – $1.3M AAV – $1.3M total – expires 2025-26

10. Lenni Hämeenaho (New Jersey Devils) – RW – Finland – $950K AAV – ELC – expires 2027-28

11. Jesse Kiiskinen (Detroit Red Wings) – RW – Finland – $923,333 AAV – ELC – expires 2027-28

12. Miko Matikka (Utah Mammoth) – RW – Finland – $870K AAV – ELC – expires 2026-27

13. Eetu Liukas (New York Islanders) – LW – Finland – $867,500 AAV – ELC – expires 2025-26

14. Tuomas Uronen (Vegas Golden Knights) – RW – Finland – $852,500 AAV – ELC – expires 2027-28

15. Aleksi Heimosalmi (Carolina Hurricanes) – D – Finland – $805,833 AAV – ELC – expires 2025-26

Future extension:

• Niko Mikkola (Florida Panthers) – 8 years, $40M, $5M AAV – expires 2033-34

Notable Deals

• 2022/2023 – Roope Hintz, Dallas Stars: 8 years, $67.6M, $8.45M AAV.

• 2024 – Anton Lundell, Florida Panthers: 6 years, $30M, $5M AAV.

• 2022 – Jesperi Kotkaniemi, Carolina Hurricanes: 8 years, $38.56M, $4.82M AAV.

• 2024 – Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen, Buffalo Sabres: 5 years, $23.75M, $4.75M AAV.

• 2026 – Niko Mikkola, Florida Panthers: future extension listed at 8 years, $40M, $5M AAV.

• 2025 – Esa Lindell, Dallas Stars: 5 years, $26.25M, $5.25M AAV.

Milestones

• 1995: Acme World Sports was founded by Markus Lehto and Bill Zito.

• 2013: Forbes described Acme World Sports as a leading NHL contract representation agency led by Lehto.

• 2020: Wasserman acquired Acme World Sports, bringing Lehto, Simo Niiranen, Pete Rutili, and others into Wasserman Hockey.

• 2022: Hintz signed an eight-year, $67.6M Dallas extension.

Partner Network

• THE·TEAM senior hockey leadership: Markus Lehto, Dave Gagner, Judd Moldaver, Rich Evans, Kurt Overhardt, Simo Niiranen, Pete Rutili.

• Acme / European network: Simo Niiranen, Pete Rutili, and Sami Mettovaara are part of the broader European hockey group.

• Operations / marketing: Joe Pinter, Rachel Feucht, Adam Phillips.

• Certified-agent support: Daren Hermiston, Ryan Ballard, Chris Lepkowski.

• Platform support: player development, NHL Draft preparation, contract negotiation, philanthropy, health/wellness, brand building, marketing, and social media/content creation.

Testimonials / Media Characterization

• Forbes described Acme as one of the world’s top NHL player contract representation agencies, led by Lehto.

• Pro Hockey Rumors said Wasserman’s Acme acquisition added Lehto’s experience and industry connections to the larger hockey group.

• THE·TEAM describes its hockey group as representing the game’s best and the game’s future.

Press, Awards & Recognition

• 2013 – Forbes: Acme World Sports profiled as a leading NHL contract representation agency.

• 2020 – Sports Business Journal: Wasserman acquired Acme World Sports.

• 2020, 2022, 2023 – Sports Business Journal: THE·TEAM/Wasserman lists three “Best Talent Representation of the Year” wins.