Ilves is left behind – foreign reinforcement switches to another Liiga club
Kiekko-Espoo continues to build its offense for the upcoming Liiga season. The club announced on Thursday that it has signed a one-year contract with American forward Lukas Svejkovsky.
The 24-year-old Svejkovsky played last season with Ilves, but moved to Kiekko-Espoo on a loan agreement during the spring season. Now the forward continues his career with the Espoo club on a permanent contract.
In the Liiga regular season, Svejkovsky appeared in 34 games for Ilves last season, recording 6+6=12 points. During his loan period at Kiekko-Espoo, he played six regular season games and registered one assist. In the playoffs, he played five games and scored 1+1 points.
The American forward’s NHL rights belong to the Pittsburgh Penguins, who drafted the 180-centimeter forward in the fourth round of the 2020 draft with the 108th pick.
Svejkovsky arrived in Finland for the 2024–25 season from AHL team Syracuse Crunch. The season played with Ilves was also his first in the Liiga.
Before moving to Finland, Svejkovsky has played in the AHL, WHL, and ECHL during his career.
– This is just the beginning, Svejkovsky commented in the club’s announcement.
Read more
- Harsh injury news from Lukko – two players out for a long time
- Yle: Ismo Lehkoselta a crushing assessment of KooKoo: “with 85 percent certainty”
- IL: Big NHL revelation from Jesse Puljujärvi – significant clause in the contract
- Exciting news from Switzerland – historic contract offers for the Finnish star duo!
- Anton Levtchill’s harsh setback in Sweden – a long absence ahead
- Two returnees want to the lynx – Raimo Helminen in a key position!
- Liiga week’s top and flop: The top talent from the capital region is found in Espoo
- Former point shooter available – League teams jumped at the chance!
- Alexander Ruuttu returns to the Liiga – team confirmed!
- Olli Jokinen to Jokers? Intense talk in Urheilucast – “He fits as a turncoat”