Sharks Sign Forward Joonas Donskoi
Sharks Sign Forward Joonas Donskoi
May 20, 2015SAN JOSE - San Jose Sharks (@SanJoseSharks) General Manager Doug Wilson announced today that the club has signed free agent forward Joonas (YOO-nus) Donskoi to an entry-level contract.
The 23-year-old Donskoi finished the 2014-15 season with 49 points (19 goals, 30 assists) and a plus-13 rating in 58 regular-season games with Karpat of the Finnish Liiga (Finland's top professional hockey league). He ranked T-4th in the league in points and goals, leading his team in both categories, and ranked 1st on Karpat in game-winning goals (6), and 2nd in both assists and shots on goal (211). He helped his team win the Liiga Championship, collecting the Jari Kurri Award as the league's playoff MVP and finishing the playoffs ranking 2nd in the league in points (22) and assists (16). His plus-15 rating led all postseason skaters while he finished the playoffs T-1st in game-winning goals (2).
At the 2015 IIHF World Championships, Donskoi had eight points (five goals, three assists) and a plus-4 rating in eight games for Finland, a point-per-game pace that helped the team register a 6-2 overall record and an appearance in the quarterfinals. In addition, Donskoi led his country in goals (five) and game-winning goals (three).
"Joonas plays a solid two-way game and combines a mix of offensive skill and defensive responsibility," said Wilson. "He has proven to be one of the more dynamic players in a strong league and we are excited to add a player with his skill set to our organization."
The six-foot, 190-pound native of Rahee, Finland, has tallied 156 points (60 goals, 96 assists) and a plus-41 rating in 271 career regular-season Liiga games. He has represented his native country of Finland in numerous international tournaments, including: the World Championships (2015), the World Junior Championships (2012, 2011) and the U-18 World Junior Championships (2010). He was originally drafted by Florida in the fourth round (99th overall) of the 2010 NHL Draft.