Jets assign forward Kristian Vesalainen to Jokerit of KHL

Winnipeg Jets winger Kristian Vesalainen. (Trevor Hagan/CP)

The Winnipeg Jets have assigned forward Kristian Vesalainen to Jokerit of the KHL, the team announced Thursday.

The Jets can’t recall Vesalainen back until Jokerit’s season is over. Jokerit acquired Vesalainen’s rights in a trade on Nov. 15.

Vesalainen, 19, was the Jets first-round pick (24th overall) in 2017. The Helsinki-native has appeared in five games for the Jets this season, picking up one assist. In eight games with the AHL’s Manitoba Moose, he has three goals and eight points.

Last season Vesalainen split time with HPK and Kärpät in Liiga, the top pro league in Finland. In 49 games he had 23 goals and 43 points.

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