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Report: Kristian Vesalainen is going to Europe

Kristian Vesalainen is going to Europe and there is nothing the Winnipeg Jets can do about it. It is normal for top European prospects to have Europe out-clauses in the entry level contracts and Vesalainen is no different. This means that instead of the Jets loaning Vesalainen to the AHL, they will loan him to a league in Europe and that league will be the KHL.

Vesalainen has never played in the KHL. He was drafted out of Fronlunda in the SHL and spent last year with HPK and Karpat in the Liigga. He will now play for Jokerit in the KHL.

I have not watched the Manitoba Moose this year, but based on Derek’s reports, it is probably best that Vesalainen plays in Europe again. He will play in a good league and spend another year playing against top competition. Jokerit is second in their division behind SKA St. Petersburg. They are also tied for fourth in the league.

Finally, while the Jets will not be able to recall Vesalainen this year until his season is done, they will also not lose a year on his ELC. Because he played under 10 games this year, his contract slides for the remainder of the season. It is also very likely he goes to the World Under 20 Champioship this year in Vancouver and Victoria, British Columbia.

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