Minnesota Wild prospect abandons the team and signs in his home country

Simon Johansson is a top prospect in the Minnesota Wild organization, and he has just fled the team and country to go back home to play in Europe.

Having played in the American Hockey League for two seasons, Simon Johansson of the Iowa Wild returns to Finland this season, playing with Ilves of Liiga. It's a new chapter, different than playing in North America, and he hasn't wasted time this early in the season.

Johansson played 136 games with the Iowa Wild, notching 11 goals and 35 points. He was a consistent player who was very good defensively, though his offense isn't the strong point of his skill set. The experience in North America has helped Johansson grow as a player, and it is expected he will boost Ilves when he returns to Europe.

Before the AHL, Johansson had already been a regular in the Liiga. Last year, he played 58 games with Ilves, scoring eight times and adding 24 helpers for a season total of 32 points. His instincts as a scorer and his ability to contribute at both ends of the ice made him a dependable player for that team during that time.

Johansson, meanwhile, has wasted little time finding his feet back in Liiga. Five goals, two assists, and seven points on a return to Liiga in nine games thus far have seen him continue almost where he left off. A good start like that would indicate that he is more confident than ever and prepared to shoulder important responsibilities. The Minnesota Wild organization will definitely miss him.

Simon Johansson's return to Ilves is shaping up quite promisingly for both him and the team. It seems his time in the AHL honed his skills rather well, and now he is poised for maximal effect this Liiga season.

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