Milwaukee Admirals forward Jesse Ylonen has signed a two-year deal in the SHL with Djurgardens IF, it was announced Tuesday.

Ylonen, a 2018 second round pick of the Montreal Canadiens, split this past year between the Admirals and the Syracuse Crunch, putting up a combined 12 goals and 23 assists for 35 points in 66 regular season games. Appearing in nine playoff games with the Admirals, Ylonen scored three goals and added an assist for four points. 

Having come to North America midway through the 2020-21 season, Ylonen made his NHL debut with the Canadiens that season and went on to play 111 regular season games with the team. Over that time, Ylonen carved out a role as a solid depth player, collecting 12 goals and 17 assists for 29 points. 

Having not been issued a qualifying offer from the Canadiens last summer, Ylonen signed with the Tampa Bay Lightning but was never able to grab a spot with the team, being dealt to the Nashville Predators in February in a depth trade. 

With Ylonen heading back overseas, his NHL career might not have been what he aspired for himself but he is young, still only 25. If Ylonen produces in the SHL, as many expect he can, NHL teams could come calling once again when his contract runs out in 2027. 

The Philadelphia Flyers announced that the head coach of their AHL affiliate Lehigh Valley Phantoms Ian Laperriere has been re-assigned to the Flyers as an advisor to Hockey Operations. 

The team announced they will begin a search for a new AHL head coach immediately. 

Laperriere signed a two-year contract extension in June 2024 that was set to run through the 2025-26 season. 

The 51-year-old joined the Flyers as director of player development for the 2012-13 season and transitioned to assistant coach in the 2013-14 season, a role he served in through the 2020-21 season before joining the Phantoms. 

The Montreal, Que., native has been the head coach of the Phantoms for the past four seasons leading the team to two Calder Cup Playoff appearances and a 134-120-38 record. 

The Philadelphia Flyers announced today that Ian Laperriere will rejoin the organization as an advisor to Hockey Operations. https://t.co/jDdDnw762B

— Philadelphia Flyers (@NHLFlyers) May 27, 2025

Laperriere has expressed a desire to be an NHL head coach and will help continue to develop Philadelphia's prospects in his new role. 

In his playing career Laperriere recorded 121 goals and 336 point sin 1083 games while racking up 1956 penalty minutes. He spent one season with the Flyers and was forced to retire after taking a slapshot to the face. 

Check out The Hockey News' Philadelphia Flyers team site for more updates. 

Make sure you bookmark The Hockey News' AHL Page for the latest news, exclusive interviews, breakdowns and so much more.    

Rochester Americans defenseman Erik Brannstrom has signed a three-year contract with Lausanne HC of the Swiss National League (NL) the club announced on Monday.

Brannstrom split his playing time between the Vancouver Canucks, Abbotsford Canucks, Hartford Wolf Pack, and Rochester Americans. He recorded eight points in 23 NHL games and 23 points in 27 AHL games. 

The 25-year-old had a turbulent season where he was traded from Colorado to Vancouver in October, placed on waivers, traded from Vancouver to New York in the J.T. Miller deal in January, and traded from New York to Buffalo in March. 

The Eksjo, Swe., native was an AHL All-Star in the 2018-19 season while a member of the Chicago Wolves and Belleville Senators. 

Abbotsford Canucks Eliminate Colorado Eagles, Advance To Western Conference Finals After a

Brannstrom was a consistent point producer in the AHL but could not quite replicate the results at the NHL level. In 117 career AHL games with the Chicago Wolves, Belleville Senators, Hartford Wolf Pack, and Rochester Americans he recorded 19 goals and 86 points. 

Originally a first round selection of the Vegas Golden Knights in 2017, Brannstrom has 10 goals and 77 points in his 294 game NHL career split between the Ottawa Senators and Vancouver Canucks. 

The Hockey News' Derek O'Brien also covered this move here.

Make sure you bookmark The Hockey News' AHL Page for the latest news, exclusive interviews, breakdowns and so much more.    

Former Toronto Marlies defenseman Rinat Valiev has signed a one-year deal with in Russia with HK Chelny, it was reported late last week. 

Drafted by the Toronto Maple Leafs in the third round of the 2014 NHL Draft, Valiyev spent this past season playing in Kazakhstan with HK Almaty, scoring four goals and adding 13 assists for 17 points in 28 regular season games. In a further seven playoff games, he added two assists. 

Having returned overseas following the 2019-20 season, Valiyev did appear in 12 career NHL games with the Maple Leafs and the Montreal Canadiens during his time in North America, never collecting a point. Throughout 260 career AHL regular season games with the Marlies, Laval Rocket and the Stockton Heat, Valiyev put up a respectable stat line of 19 goals and 66 assists for 85 points. 

With Valiyev signing in the VHL (Russia's second tier pro league), he will return to his home country following parts of two seasons away. While he has not been able to stick full time in the KHL, Valiyev has been solid throughout his short VHL career and should bolster HK Chelny's blueline. 

Hershey Bears forward Mike Sgarbossa has signed a two-year deal with HC Lugano of the Swiss National League. 

An AHL veteran who has been a consistent point producer over his career, Sgarbossa notched seven goals and 31 points in 35 games with Hershey and two points in three games with the Washington Capitals this season. 

The 32-year-old recorded 165 goals and 467 points in 605 games over parts of 13 AHL seasons with the Lake Erie Monsters, Norfolk Admirals, San Diego Gulls, Springfield Thunderbirds, and Hershey Bears.

"I've been going up and down quite a bit, so you tend to miss a lot of things when it comes to the kids... it's a good opportunity for me, personally."

Mike Sgarbossa explains his decision to leave the Capitals organization as he's set to sign overseas.https://t.co/P3KL3Y7xBR

— Sammi Silber 🏒 (@sammisilber) May 23, 2025

The Campbellville, Ont., native was a two-time AHL All-Star and won the 2023 Calder Cup with Hershey. He remained on the Washington Capitals roster and did not play in Hershey's 2024 Calder Cup run. 

Sgarbossa originally signed an entry-level contract with the San Jose Sharks in 2010 after going undrafted and became a regular NHL call-up over his career.

In 92 career NHL games with the Colorado Avalanche, Florida Panthers, and Washington Capitals Sgarbossa had nine goals and 25 points.  

The Hockey News' Washington reporter Sammi Silber spoke with Sgarbossa regarding his decision here.

Make sure you bookmark The Hockey News' AHL Page for the latest news, exclusive interviews, breakdowns and so much more.  

The Washington Capitals have recalled goaltender Clay Stevenson from the Hershey Bears, it was announced Thursday. 

Stevenson, a product of Drayton Valley, Alta., has split time this season between the Capitals and the Bears. In his lone NHL appearance, he collected the loss while putting up a 5.00 GAA and a .868 SP. In 33 appearances with Hershey, Stevenson put together a record of 18-8-5 along with a 2.94 GAA and a .888 SP. Stevenson has also seen one game for the Bears in the Calder Cup playoffs, putting up a 4.00 GAA and a .875 SP. 

With this being his third full season of pro hockey, Stevenson has made a name for himself throughout his time in the Capitals organization. Across 72 regular season appearances with Hershey, where he has spent the majority of his time, Stevenson has put up a respectable 2.44 GAA and a .907 SP while going 45-18-7. 

Although this season may not have been his best when it comes to stats, Stevenson got the opportunity to make his NHL debut and provides solid depth for the organization. Signed for two more years, Stevenson should see more NHL games next year and is a candidate to have a solid bounce back season in 2025-26.

The Washington Capitals have recalled goaltender Clay Stevenson from the Hershey Bears, it was announced Thursday. 

Stevenson, a product of Drayton Valley, Alta., has split time this season between the Capitals and the Bears. In his lone NHL appearance, he collected the loss while putting up a 5.00 GAA and a .868 SP. In 33 appearances with Hershey, Stevenson put together a record of 18-8-5 along with a 2.94 GAA and a .888 SP. Stevenson has also seen one game for the Bears in the Calder Cup playoffs, putting up a 4.00 GAA and a .875 SP. 

With this being his third full season of pro hockey, Stevenson has made a name for himself throughout his time in the Capitals organization. Across 72 regular season appearances with Hershey, where he has spent the majority of his time, Stevenson has put up a respectable 2.44 GAA and a .907 SP while going 45-18-7. 

Although this season may not have been his best when it comes to stats, Stevenson got the opportunity to make his NHL debut and provides solid depth for the organization. Signed for two more years, Stevenson should see more NHL games next year and is a candidate to have a solid bounce back season in 2025-26.