The Colorado Avalanche have signed Finnish forward Jere Innala to a one-year contract, adding depth to their organization for the upcoming season. The 26-year-old winger, standing 5’9″ and weighing 179 pounds, had a notable postseason in the Swedish Hockey League (SHL), leading the league with 11 goals and 15 points. During the regular season, he recorded 28 points in 42 games and also contributed five points in eight games for Finland at the World Championships.
A scout from the SHL expressed relief at no longer having to face Innala, indicating his strong performance in the league. While Innala has signed with the Avalanche, it is more likely he will play as a depth forward in the AHL, given the team is expected to lose several AHL forwards to free agency.
In the press release, the Avalanche provided more details on Innala’s career. Over the past two seasons with Frolunda, he tallied 54 points (26 goals, 28 assists) in 94 regular-season games and added 20 points (13 goals, 7 assists) in 24 SHL Playoff games. Before joining the SHL, Innala played in Finland’s SM-Liiga with HPK and HIFK from 2016 to 2022, where he amassed 181 points (86 goals, 95 assists) in 290 regular-season games. His standout season came in 2018-19 when he scored 24 goals and contributed 11 points in 18 playoff games, helping HPK win the league championship. In his final season in the Liiga, Innala achieved career-highs with 30 assists and 48 points during the regular season with HIFK.
This signing marks the Avalanche’s first move in several weeks, with the NHL Draft and free agency approaching. Fans can expect more activity soon. Stay tuned to CHN for the latest updates on the Avalanche.
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