Prospect Notes: Sjalin, Kulonummi, Ambrosio

Sabres blueline prospect Calle Sjalin intends to return to Sweden next season, his agent Claes Elefalk told Hockeysverige’s Mans Karlsson.  The 24-year-old was acquired at the trade deadline from Florida as part of the Kyle Okposo trade.  Sjalin was brought over two years ago but has exclusively played in the AHL and doesn’t appear to be on the verge of pushing for an NHL opportunity.  However, his planned return to the SHL doesn’t mean this is it for him in North America as Elefalk indicated that Sjalin plans to sign for a year or two back home and then give it another go at trying to reach the NHL level.

Other prospect news from around the hockey world:

• Predators prospect Kasper Kulonummi has signed with Kiekko-Espoo in Finland’s top division, per a team announcement on their Instagram page. The 20-year-old blueliner was picked 84th overall two years ago and had his first taste of extended Liiga action this year, getting into 40 games where he had four assists.  His new team has been promoted from the second-tier Mestis level so Kulonummi will likely be earmarked for a bigger role in 2024-25, the first of the two-year contract he signed.
• Avalanche prospect Colby Ambrosio has elected to transfer for his final season. The center announced (Twitter link) he has moved to Miami University (Ohio).  The 21-year-old was a fourth-round pick by Colorado in 2020 (118th overall) and spent the last four seasons at Boston College.  Ambrosio struggled in a limited role this season, notching just eight points in 40 games after reaching the 20-point mark the previous two campaigns.  He could have elected free agency this summer but coming off the year he had, it made more sense for him to try his hand elsewhere.  He’s now reunited with his former USHL coach who will now try to get enough out of Ambrosio to land a pro contract next year.