Jets assign Vesalainen to KHL's Jokerit

Kristian Vesalainen is heading back to Finland.

The Winnipeg Jets are sending the 19-year-old forward from the AHL's Manitoba Moose to Finnish KHL club Jokerit, the team announced Thursday.

Vesalainen played the first five games of the season with the Jets before being sent down to Manitoba. Winnipeg recalled the winger on Nov. 16 and reassigned him Nov. 20.

An out clause in Vesalainen's contract allowing him to leave for Europe kicked in Saturday. Jokerit acquired his KHL rights in a trade with SKA St. Petersburg on Nov. 15.

The 24th overall pick in last year's draft produced eight points in eight AHL games and added one assist in his first five NHL contests.

Vesalainen will be eligible to return to the Jets once the KHL season concludes in April.

Copyright (C) 2018 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.