The good news for Montreal Canadiens’ prospect Joni Ikonen continues, as he has signed a one-year extension with KalPa of the Finnish Liiga through the 2018-19 season. Ikonen was just recently named to the selection camp for Finland’s World Junior club, after being selected 58th-overall by Montreal last summer.
Though Ikonen wasn’t expected to make the Canadiens next season, this should basically put an end to any speculation that he could join the Laval Rocket as a 19-year old. While European extensions can often be broken if an NHL team wants to bring them over, it’s more likely in this case that Ikonen plays through 2018-19 in Finland, trying to continue his development at home.
The 6’0″ forward has just six points in 30 games for KalPa this season, but will likely see an increased role next year. The young Finn could even play in another World Junior tournament in 2019, but he’ll have to continue to show progression to be on the NHL radar anytime soon.
Slightly disappointed but the Habs still have that June window to bring him over for next year. At the same time though, an extra year in Europe did wonders for Artturi Lehkonen’s development and should hopefully do the same for Ikonen.