After swapping Iowa for Finland, Simon Johansson is shattering records with Ilves. The defenseman’s historic 51-point campaign cements his status as a premier powerhouse on the European blueline.
When the Minnesota Wild selected Simon Johansson in the fifth round (148th overall) of the 2018 NHL Draft, they hoped the Swedish defenseman could eventually develop into an NHL contributor.
That opportunity never materialized.
Instead, Johansson is now putting together one of the best offensive careers by a defenseman in Finland's top professional league.
After spending two seasons with the Iowa Wild from 2022-24, Johansson returned to Ilves in Liiga, where he has quickly re-established himself as one of Europe's top offensive blue liners. His 2025-26 campaign was nothing short of historic.
The 27-year-old recorded 19 goals and 32 assists for 51 points in just 57 games. He finished 11th in league scoring regardless of position while leading all Liiga defensemen in both goals and points.
His 19 goals were the most by a defenseman in the league, but the biggest accomplishment came with his point total.
Johansson's 51 points are tied for the fourth-highest single-season total ever recorded by a defenseman in Liiga history, placing him alongside some of the greatest offensive seasons the league has ever seen from the blue line.
Johansson spent two seasons with Iowa after signing with the Wild organization. During the 2022-23 season, he produced two goals and 12 assists for 14 points in 64 games. He followed that with a stronger offensive campaign in 2023-24, recording nine goals and 12 assists for 21 points in 72 games.
Despite showing improvement in his second season, Johansson never received an NHL call-up and appeared in zero games for Minnesota before returning overseas.
Johansson originally played for Ilves before joining the Wild organization, making his return feel like a homecoming. Since rejoining the club, he has become one of the league's premier offensive defensemen, culminating in a season that now sits among the best ever by a blueliner in Liiga history.
While his NHL opportunity with the Wild never came, Johansson has carved out an impressive career in Europe and reminded everyone why he was once viewed as an intriguing prospect.
