Making the NHL is the single toughest task for any young hockey player. Even for those drafted in the 1st round it doesn't guarantee that you'll ever find your way into the NHL. For some the path to having a successful professional hockey career, that means leaving North America and pursuing other opportunities. Today, Winnipeg Jets restricted free agent forward Kristian Vesalainen has signed a one-year extension with HIFK.
The 23 year old was drafted 24th overall by the Jets in 2017. He played five games in the 2018-19 season, before playing in the minor leagues and eventually the KHL. The following year he was in the AHL full-time, and then in 2020-21 he once again split time in three different leagues.
