Markus Loponen

March 2026 – Loponen returned to Finland on a two-year deal with HPK after a brief North American stint, and has since been loaned to Sport Vaasa – likely in search of more playing time at 40 games into the HPK season. Pointless through his first three games with Vaasa, there is little here to update from the August entry. Winnipeg retains his rights until June 1, 2028, and perhaps by then we will have a better idea of what Loponen can offer the Jets organization. Ryan Downey

August 2025  – It turns out Loponen was one and done in North America; as he heads back to Finland, he signed a two-year contract with Liiga’s HPK in June 2025. Loponen had not signed an entry-level deal with the Winnipeg Jets, and they will retain his rights, allowing them until June 1, 2028, to sign him. Now back in his home country, Finland, Loponen is not worth rostering and is well off the fantasy radar unless he excels in Finland and returns to North America. Mark Henry

June 2025 – Loponen had a productive rookie season in the Western Hockey League with Victoria Royals; he had 44 points (19 goals and 25 assists) in 65 regular-season games with the Royals, including 415 faceoff wins; he also played in 11 postseason games, producing six points (four goals and two assists). The Winnipeg Jets’ fifth-round pick (155th overall) in the 2024 NHL Entry Draft made a move to North America before the 2024-25 season and adjusted well to the North American style of play. A two-way center with some offensive upside who can put up FOW stats. Mark Henry

September 2024—Loponen’s busy summer continues. Having already attended the Winnipeg Jets 2024 Development Camp on July 3-7, 2024, he will head to Penticton, B.C., for the 2024 Young Stars Classic with the Winnipeg Jets on September 13-16, 2024. Before leaving for the 2024 Young Stars Classic, he made his pre-season debut with the Victoria Royals on September 8th versus the Vancouver Giants.  Mark Henry

August 2024 – Loponen, the Winnipeg Jets 5th round pick in the 2024 NHL Entry Draft, requested his contract be terminated, and was later granted on August 19, 2024, with Kärpät of the SM-liiga in Finland and will play in North America during the 2024-2025 season in the Western Hockey League with the Victoria Royals. Mark Henry

August 2024 – Loponen was named to Finland’s U20 Five-Nations team on August 18, 2024. The Five-Nations tournament takes place August 27-31 in Zug, Switzerland. Mark Henry

July 2024 – The Victoria Royals of the Western Hockey League selected Loponen 23rd overall in the 2024 CHL Import Draft on July 3, 2024. Mark Henry

June 2024 – Loponen was selected 155th overall by the Winnipeg Jets in the 2024 NHL Entry Draft. Mark Henry