The Bradford Bulls are pleased to announce that forward Jesse Laasonen and Goaltender Jonatan Persson have signed professional contracts in Sweden Division 2. Both players have signed in the strong Divison 2 South conferance with Laasonen inking with Osby IK and Persson signing with Toreboda HF. Jesse and Jonatan were key members of last season's team. The two team mates and billet roommates will now be rivals across the pond. 

   The Lieksa Finland native, Jesse Laasonen is was an elite power forward with the Bradford Bulls that could play in all situations of the game. Jesse came to the Bulls from Jokipojat U20 in the JR A Mestis program in Finland. Jesse has this to say about his time with the Bulls, “Playing a season with the Bulls helped me a lot as a player. Before last season I only played in Finland with the same organization throughout my junior years. Coming into a new country with totally different culture and different playing style, helped me grow a lot as a player. Everything worked out great from the management and coaching staff, to my team mates and billet family.”

   Goaltender Jonatan Persson who travelled all the way from Sweden to be a member of the Bulls will be minding the goal in Toreboda this coming season. Jonatan played 19 games with the Bulls last season posting an impressive .904 save percentage. Jonatan was no stranger to North American hockey as he made stops in the WSHL and the NA3HL before deciding the Bradford Bulls of the GMHL would be the team to help him take his game to the next level. Jonatan had this to say about his time with the Bulls, “Coach Billie gave me a chance in Bradford, and it turned out great for me. I am forever thankful for the opportunity and experience. My time in Bradford gave me so much more than just hockey, with new friendships and a chance to experience Canada. Big thank you to the Bradford Bulls Organization for a time I will never forget.”

   The two pro signings will mark an incredible 30th and 31st Bradford Bulls alumni to move onto European Pro Hockey. The Bradford Bulls Organization wishes Jesse and Jonatan the best of luck in their pro hockey endeavours.

Photo Credit : Coburn Pix