According to the St. Cloud Times, St. Cloud State freshman defenseman Mika Ilvonen will have to sit the first five regular-season games because his junior team in Finland used a pro player last season.
Ilvonen will be able to play in Saturday’s exhibition game against Trinity Western at the Herb Brooks National Hockey Center.
“We were waiting and we sure didn’t want it to be any more [games],” Huskies’ coach Bob Motzko said to the Times. “The bottom line is that it’s a rule that has to be fixed at a higher level. It’s unfortunate because these guys are being victimized in a situation that is nothing of their doing.
“At the same time, in the grand scheme of things, five games will go by quickly.”
Ilvonen’s first eligible game is Nov. 1 at Minnesota. He is also a prime candidate to play for Finland in this winter’s IIHF World Junior Championship in Toronto and Montreal.
