Islanders Bring Back Aho; Qualify Eight
Oct 5, 2020The New York Islanders announced today that defenseman Sebastian Aho has agreed to terms on a two-year contract. The team has also tendered free agent qualifying offers to eight players.
Aho, 24, recorded 30 points (three goals, 27 assists) in 49 games with the Sound Tigers last season. Aho led all Sound Tigers defensemen in points for the third straight season and led the team in assists for the second straight season. He was also named to the 2020 AHL All-Star Classic for the third consecutive year, becoming the first Sound Tigers player ever selected to three All-Star events. Aho has appeared in 156 career AHL games over three seasons with the Sound Tigers, collecting 105 points (21 goals, 84 assists).
A native of Umea, Sweden, Aho has recorded four points (one goal, three assists) for the Islanders over 22 career games. He made his NHL debut on December 31, 2017 at Colorado and recorded his first NHL goal on January 7, 2018 against New Jersey.
The Islanders selected Aho in the fifth round (139th overall pick) of the 2017 NHL Draft. He spent four seasons with Skelleftea of the Swedish Hockey League, recording 55 points (14 goals, 31 assists) over 130 games. In 2013-14, Aho recorded five points (one goal, four assists) in 21 games and helped Skelleftea win the SHL championship.
On the international stage, Aho represented Sweden at the 2015 World Junior Championship, where he recorded four points (one goal, three assists) and helped Sweden reach the semifinals. He also played for Sweden at the 2013 and 2014 Under-18 World Junior Championships.
Mathew Barzal, Kyle Burroughs, Josh Ho-Sang, Grant Hutton, Ryan Pulock, Mitch Vande Sompel, and Parker Wotherspoon each received a free agent qualifying offer from New York.