Avalanche sign Jere Innala to one-year, entry-level contract

Some organizational depth up front has been assured by the Colorado Avalanche.

On Thursday, the team announced it has signed forward Jere Innala to a one-year, entry-level contract.

The contract will be effective for the 2024-25 season.

The 26-year-old went undrafted and spent six years in Liiga (Finland), playing most of his career with HPK. He won a league championship in 2019 before joining HIFK for the 2021-22 season. Innala then hopped across the border, signing with Frölunda HC in the Swedish Hockey League. He was a solid scorer in his two years, scoring 54 points in 94 regular-season appearances.

Innala gained the attention of teams in North America after an exceptional performance in the SHL Playoffs. The Hauho, Finland native scored 11 goals and 15 points in 14 games, leading all skaters in goals and points, though Frölunda was eliminated by Skellefteå AIK, the eventual champions, in the semifinals.

Innala also played a key role in Frölunda’s run to the semis during the 2022-23 Champions Hockey League season, scoring nine points in 12 games. However, Frölunda was eliminated by Swedish rival Luleå HF in a shootout in the deciding game. Innala got to play in last year’s Spengler Cup in Switzerland, though Frölunda lost to HC Davos in, you guessed it, the semifinals.

He also played in the CHL with HPK and HIFK in 2019-20 and 2021-22, respectively, though neither of those teams made it out of the group stage.

Innala has represented his country throughout his career. He has played for Finland in three of the last four IIHF Men’s World Championships, helping Suomi win gold with Suomi in 2022 and silver in 2021.

With the signing, the Avalanche has 28 players signed to a standard player contract next season. According to CapFriendly, Colorado has a little over $15 million in cap space.