Montreal Canadiens: Jesse Ylonen, Jan Mysak Leave Laval Rocket Game With Injury

Montreal Canadiens prospects, and recent second round picks Jesse Ylonen and Jan Mysak both left tonight’s game against the Manitoba Moose early with injuries and did not return.

Ylonen is having a terrific first season of pro hockey in North America with the Laval Rocket. The right winger from Finland has seven goals, seven assists and 14 points in 20 games as a rookie in the American Hockey League.

He has been playing on the team’s top line with NHL veteran Jordan Weal and gritty two-way left winger Rafael Harvey-Pinard. Ylonen’s shot has also been a weapon often used on the top power play.

Mysak has played more of a depth role for the Rocket. While the 21 year old Ylonen has plenty of experience playing against men in Finland, Mysak would still be playing Junior hockey if the Ontario Hockey League were playing games at the moment. The 18 year old has two goals in 13 games, but has carved out a role as a bottom six centre as one of the youngest players in the entire league.

Unfortunately, both of them left tonight’s game early after taking big hits from Moose defenders.

First, in the opening period, it was Ylonen trying to gain the Moose zone with the puck. He was met with a thunderous check along the boards, just where the glass begins at the end of the bench. Ylonen would not be back for the remainder of the contest.

Later in the game, Mysak was heading into the corner with Dylan Samberg, a sizeable defender at 6’4″ and 216 pounds. Samberg wallpapered Mysak with a high hit that left the Canadiens prospect down on the ice for several minutes before being helped off the ice by the team’s trainer.

It’s never good to see players leaving games with injuries. There was no further update on Ylonen or Mysak, but neither retuned to the game. Hopefully there are no long-term injuries as both young players have been playing well for the Laval Rocket.