Kivihalme, who turns 24 in a few weeks, was originally selected by the Nashville Predators in the fifth round (140th overall) in the 2013 NHL Draft. He was born and raised in the United States but is a dual citizen — his father has been an assistant coach and a head coach in the USHL and other leagues, as well as being a regional scout for the Regina Pats for a time.
He has experience playing high-level hockey on North American ice, having played at Colorado College (NCAA) for three seasons before joining Karpat of the Liiga (Finnish Elite League).