Ontario Reign Player Review: Aatu Jamsen

In year one, Jamsen had plenty of adjustments to make. Transitioning from the play style in his hometown of Finland, Jamsen had to adjust to the faster pace, smaller ice sheet, and physicality of the game in North America. Add two separate injuries that knocked him out of the lineup long-term twice to those adjustments, and it made it a rough year.

Year two started slowly, but from the end of December until the beginning of March, Jamsen scored 11 goals and tallied 17 points in 24 games, providing secondary scoring to the lineup. Then, an injury put him on the shelf for three weeks before returning for the final eight games.

He suited up in four playoff games for the Reign and tallied a goal and an assist in the five-game series against the Coachella Valley Firebirds. His 28 points playing mainly a bottom-six role with time on the second power-play unit proved to be a great season for the former 2020 seventh-round pick.

The chances of a seventh-round pick making an NHL roster are slim to none, but if they develop and turn into decent NHL contributors, then that is a success for any organization. Jamsen offers a unique package with his skill set. For starters, he’s very crafty with the puck. He also has strong edgework in tight corners, a good shot, can make something out of nothing, and has started to buy in on the defensive side of the ice by showing a willingness to block shots.

One area he will need to focus on is his strength. There were times he looked stronger when driving to the net with the puck, but he can still get knocked off it, though not as easily as he did in his rookie year. If there is one thing that holds him back from making an NHL roster, it’s that. I expect him to be back with the organization as he is a restricted free agent (RFA) on July 1st. He has one year left of being exempt from waivers to be assigned to the AHL, per Puckpedia.