Jesse Ylonen Signs with Djurgardens IF
In a significant career development, Jesse Ylonen, a forward for the Milwaukee Admirals, has inked a two-year contract with Djurgardens IF in Sweden’s top-tier hockey league, the SHL. This announcement came on Tuesday, marking a new chapter for the 25-year-old who was drafted in the second round by the Montreal Canadiens back in 2018.
Performance in North America
During the past hockey season, Ylonen showcased his skills across two teams—the Admirals and the Syracuse Crunch—accumulating a total of 12 goals and 23 assists across 66 regular season games, culminating in 35 points. His playoff performance with the Admirals was noteworthy as well, where he netted three goals and provided an assist in nine games.
Ylonen embarked on his North American hockey journey mid-way through the 2020-21 season, making his NHL debut with the Canadiens that same year. Over the span of his time with Montreal, Ylonen played in 111 regular season games, managing to earn 29 points through 12 goals and 17 assists, primarily contributing as a reliable depth player.
Challenges and Future Prospects
Despite his earlier promise, Ylonen did not receive a qualifying offer from the Canadiens last summer, leading him to sign with the Tampa Bay Lightning, where he struggled to secure a roster spot. Consequently, he was traded to the Nashville Predators in February as part of a depth move.
Though Ylonen’s stint in the NHL may not have met his initial ambitions, his youth (at just 25 years old) leaves room for growth and potential. If he thrives in the SHL, as many believe he will, it could pave the way for renewed interest from NHL teams when his contract concludes in 2027.
