Jesse Joensuu was drafted by the New York Islanders in the 2nd round of the 2006 NHL Draft at 60th overall. After spending the majority of 2007 with his Finnish hometown team Assat of the SM-liiga; Joensuu would appear in a single game for the now-Bridgeport Islanders, he would then be a full-time asset for Bridgeport in 2008/09.
Jesse finished fifth in Bridgeport’s team scoring with 35 points, 18 of those points coming via the assist. He would be promoted to the NHL, making his debut on March 2nd, 2009, for the Islanders. Playing in 7 games, Joensuu notched a goal and 2 assists.
2009/10 would feature the Fin starting with Bridgeport before he was recalled in early December only to play in 7 games. Joensuu had to wait till February of 2010 to appear in 4 more games for a season total of 11. He had a +/- of +4 despite only accounting for a lone point that season.
Things would change for the lefty winger in 2010 as the Islanders’ gave him close to a half-season of playing time, having him appear in 42 games. Spending an half-hour+ in the penalty box won’t do any player good: Joensuu had a 33 PIM and was -6 on the ice. In 42 games, he would notch 6 goals and 3 assists for 9 points.
On July 1, 2011, Joensuu left the Islanders organization as a restricted free agent and signed a two-year deal with Swedish club HV71. The signing came with the intention of developing his offense as a power forward. Joensuu accounted for 29 points in 50 games during the 2011/12 season.
Joensuu, with a clause for release from HV71 to the NHL, opted to return to the Islanders on a one-year deal on June 15, 2012. Once again limited to just 7 games, only a 2 assist production was the best Joensuu could do.
On July 5, 2013, Joensuu signed as a free agent to a two-year contract with the Edmonton Oilers. The signing marked the end of his Islanders’ career and he would be out of the NHL entirely by December 12th of 2014, after being loaned to Swiss Club, SC Bern from Edmonton.
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