Jets prospect Markus Loponen will suit up in WHL action this season.
Winnipeg Jets prospect Markus Loponen has had his contract with his Finnish club, Karpat, terminated.
The move will allow Loponen, 18, to travel to North America and begin his pursuit of playing professional hockey 'overseas' from his home land.
According to European hockey insider Lassi Alanen, the contract termination came by request of Loponen, who wants to get geographically closer to the Jets' home base.
Loponen was selected by Winnipeg in this summer's 2024 NHL Draft in the fifth round, 155th overall. He was later chosen by the Western Hockey League's Victoria Royals 23rd overall in the annual CHL Import Draft.
At 6-foot-1 and 185 pounds, the speedy forward put up 25 goals and 54 points for Karpat in the SM-sarja as team captain.
But it is with Victoria where he will next continue his career. How long he stays with the Royals will be determined by the Jets' front office staff, and their future plans for this development.
Loponen skated with fellow Jets prospects at the annual development camp in early-July at hockey for all centre.