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North American Professional Debut for Ylönen |
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We're starting to see more and more results from the Canadiens' 2018 NHL entry draft, Kotkaniemi has been with the Habs for two years (even though he has struggled lately), Alexander Romanov is looking rather solid in Russia and Jordan Harris was on the American World Junior Championship team's first pairing. Meanwhile, the Habs' second round pick and 35th overall Jesse Ylönen has been playing in the Finnish Elite League and making a name for himself on the international scene.
This season in la Liigua, he racked up 12 goals and 10 assists for 22 points in 53 games. That might not seem like all that much but do keep in mind that the league leader in points had 52 points in 50 games. On the international scene, he got 6 points in 7 games in the 2019 World Junior Championship when Finland edged America to win the gold medal game thanks to a Kaapo Kakko goal late in the day.
Ylönen is a right winger and Habs fans will be grateful to hear that he is 6 feet tall and weights 172 pounds. Considering how small the Habs are, it's always good news to hear that a forward is above the 6 feet mark. The contract Ylonen signed is an AHL one good for the remainder of the current season. His deal with his Finnish team expires at the end of April and he should be signing his entry level contract with the Canadiens after that.
Amongst his strengths, his scouting report listed strong skating which features excellent speed and acceleration add to that the fact that he's blessed with good stick handling abilities and he could make a significant offensive contribution in Laval at a time when the Rocket is trying its very best to make the playoffs. It should be noted that he's more of a peripheral player though, do not expect him to get into traffic and get Gallagher like goals, he much prefers to use his good wrist shot and release.
There's no official word as to when the Finn will make his debut with the correct but it's conceivable that it could happen on Thursday when they next play. Ylönen should have had the time to join the team by then and pass a physical. While he's not as highly touted a prospect as Caufield or Romanov, his arrival in north America will at least give Habs fans something to be keep an eye on during what promises to be a dreary end to the season.