Blues’ defenseman Leo Lööf Returns to Finnish Liiga Side Ilves

Swedish defenseman Leo Lööf has left the St. Louis Blues organization after signing a two-year deal with Finnish Liiga side Ilves Tampere, where he will share the locker room with another Blues prospect, Czech forward Ondrej Kos.

Originally selected by the Blues in the third round, 88th overall, of the 2020 NHL Draft, Lööf arrived in North America in 2023 after gaining significant professional experience in Europe, including with Ilves Tampere, where he posted 15 points (4 goals and 11 assists) and an impressive plus-22 rating in 55 games.

Before joining the Blues’ American Hockey League affiliate, the Springfield Thunderbirds, he appeared in 113 games at the pro level overseas, continuing to build a reputation as a reliable, physical blueliner with strong defensive instincts. He spent three seasons with the Thunderbirds before his entry-level contract with the organization expired this offseason.

Lööf has also represented his country, capturing a bronze medal at the 2021 IIHF World Junior Championship.

“Leo Lööf is a familiar face to us as a returning player who brings strong all-around play to our defense, both with and without the puck. He is capable of playing a high-quality, physical, and aggressive game that effectively advances the team’s cause across the entire ice. It’s great that we’re getting Leo back to Ilves on a two-year contract,” says Ilves’ Sports Director Timo Koskela, who spent six years with the Blues between 2013 and 2019 as a European scout for the franchise.