Joona Luoto is set to depart HV71 after two seasons with the club, with reports pointing to a return to his native Finland. The Finnish forward, who recorded nine points in 30 regular-season games this year, will not remain as the team heads into the next SHL campaign. Tappara, where Luoto previously progressed from juniors to the senior side, is reportedly in pole position.
HV71 clinched their SHL contract by defeating Leksand 4-0 in the playoff series. Despite this success, Joona Luoto's time in Jönköping is coming to an end. According to reports cited by Expressen, the 28-year-old has decided against extending his stay and is heading back to Finland for the upcoming season. Tappara emerges as the frontrunner to sign him, given his history with the club where he made the jump from junior to first-team action. No formal agreement has been announced yet, but Luoto's exit from HV71 appears finalized. During his stint with the Swedish side over the past two years, he contributed nine points across 30 grundserie matches this season alone. HV71's recent playoff victory ensured their top-flight status, providing a stable foundation as they prepare for roster changes.