Former first round pick decides to leave North America
A former first round pick has made the decision that now is the time to leave North America and his NHL dreams behind for a new opportunity in Europe.
In a post on social media on Monday, the Malmo Redhawks of the Swedish Hockey League announced that they've agreed to terms on a two-year contract with former Ottawa Senators first round pick Lassi Thomson.
Note: the following quotes were translated from Swedish.
He added, "My expectations are of course high. I know the team didn't make the playoffs last season, so to get there is a big deal. The most important thing for me is to help the team win and contribute with my experience."
Thomson, 23, was selected 19th overall by the Ottawa Senators in the 2019 NHL Entry Draft. He spent the majority of his time in the organization with the Senators' AHL team in Belleville, but also made 18 appearances in the NHL, putting up five assists, six penalty minutes and was a minus-ten.
The Tampere, Finland native is set to become a restricted free agent this summer and it'll be interesting to see if Ottawa Senators General Manager Steve Staios will issue him a qualifying offer to retain his rights or if he'll let Thomson become a UFA.
Source - Malmo Redhawks: LASSI THOMSON STRENGTHENS MALMÖ REDHAWKS: "VERY INTERESTING"
| POLL | ||
Do you think Lassi Thomson will return to North America in the future? | ||
| Yes | 24 | 23.5 % |
| No | 78 | 76.5 % |
| List of polls | ||
