WINNIPEG – With a few small exceptions the bulk of the Winnipeg Jets’ roster should be back next season. Job openings will be few and far between but one player who could make the leap in the fall is forward Kristian Vesalainen.
After missing the first full skate of development camp with an upper body injury, the Jets’ 2017 first round draft pick skated on his own on Wednesday.
“I’m going to be on the ice with the guys tomorrow,” Vesalainen said. “So it’s not a big deal.”
Vesalainen is hoping to be a big deal with the Jets next season. After winning a championship in Finland this past season the 19-year-old is planning to play in North America in the fall, but first he’ll need a contract.
“That’s my plan so hopefully we’re going to get it done.” he said. “I want to improve my skills with the puck and offensive game, and hopefully I’m going to sign here.”
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While he could end up with the Manitoba Moose, part of the draw of making the Jets would be the chance to play an NHL regular season game in his home country of Finland.
“That would be a cool thing to do,” Vesalainen said. “I’ve heard there’s a lot of guys talking about going to watch the games and it would be great.”
Vesalainen could be one of four Finns on the Jets next season with Patrik Laine, Joel Armia and Sami Niku also in the organization.
“It’s more fun to have some Finns on the team,” he said. “And talk with our own language, so it’s helping a lot.”
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By selecting Vesalainen it marked the second straight year the Jets chose a Finnish born player in the first round of the NHL Draft, but the similarities with Laine end there.
“I think I’m a little bit more all around player.” Vesalainen said. “He has a better shot than me.”
The bigger question though is did he like his countryman’s beard.
“That’s a tough one actually.” he said. “If we are going to be honest, so I don’t like that, but he’s gonna do what he wants, so I’m gonna say no to that.”