HIFK, a team in SM-liiga, announced yesterday that they have signed former Predators and Admirals forward Joonas Rask. Originally a 2010 seventh round pick of the Predators, Rask came overseas during the 2012-13 after a few successful seasons in SM-liiga. He recorded one assist in his two games with Nashville that season.
Rask, who is probably sick of being referred to as Tuuka’s brother, wasn’t called up this season and only scored four goals and ten assists in his first full season with Milwaukee. He served mostly in a checking role, usually moving between the second and third lines. After a disappointing season and at the age of 24, Rask likely decided that he’d get the best opportunity to play back in Finland.
Rask would have been a restricted free agent if he had stayed in North America.