Winnipeg Jets select Kristian Vesalainen at No. 24 at NHL Draft

Watch as the Winnipeg Jets select Kristian Vesalainen with the 24th pick in the 2017 NHL Draft.

The Winnipeg Jets chose forward Kristian Vesalainen with the No. 24 pick Friday at the NHL Draft.

The Finnish winger has spent the past two seasons in the Frölunda organization in the Swedish Hockey League. Vesalainen struggled offensively in 2016-17, scoring just one goal in 26 games in the SHL. He represented Finland at the world juniors.

A modern day power forward, Vesalainen “had a challenging start to his season, but really turned it on down the stretch,” according to Jeff Marek.

The Jets acquired this pick from the Golden Knights Wednesday at the NHL Expansion Draft as part of a deal that ensured Vegas would stay away from Tobias Enstrom and select Chris Thorburn. The 24th pick originally belonged to the Columbus Blue Jackets. Winnipeg was originally had the No. 13 selection.

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