ex-Oilers Jesse Puljujärvi Is Lighting It Up in Switzerland
Jesse Puljujärvi has been through just about every kind of hockey chapter you can imagine—top prospect, NHL hopeful, depth winger, AHL battler, fan favourite, frustration point, and comeback project. Now he’s added a new one: breakout star in Switzerland.
After eight seasons of bouncing around, Puljujärvi landed in Switzerland.
After eight years bouncing around North America, he packed his bags this summer and signed a two-year deal with Geneva‑Servette HC. And it’s looking like the perfect fit. Bigger ice, more offensive freedom, a coach who wants him driving play, and a fan base already buzzing about him. It’s the reset he probably needed.
Puljujärvi isn’t just settling in—he’s producing. He’s sitting at 14 goals and 25 assists for 39 points in 46 games, which puts him right up near the top of the scoring conversation for his team. That’s the kind of season that turns heads quickly overseas. And for a guy who’s been searching for rhythm and confidence for years, this feels like the payoff.
Puljujärvi’s game translates well to Switzerland.
What’s interesting is how well his game translates to the Swiss league. With his size, speed, and straight-line drive, he looks way more comfortable and natural on the bigger ice. When you step back and look at the full picture, it makes sense: he always had the tools, he just never quite found the right NHL role. A league that gives skilled power forwards more space was bound to bring out his best.
Of course, the backstory is long. Drafted fourth overall by the Edmonton Oilers, Puljujärvi carried a ton of expectation, and flashes of brilliance showed up here and there. But roles changed, confidence dipped, and injuries piled up. He later had short stops with the Pittsburgh Penguins and Florida Panthers, plus a pretty solid AHL run that reminded everyone he still had something to offer.
In Switzerland, Puljujärvi is playing big minutes.
So now he’s in Switzerland, healthy, happy, and actually playing big minutes. That alone makes a massive difference. Geneva-Servette’s GM says they’ve been watching him for years, and you can tell—they’re giving him responsibility, trusting him to drive offence, and letting him play to his strengths. Puljujärvi sounds thrilled, too. He’s already said he’s excited about the city, the fans, and the chance to be a real contributor again.
If this season is any indication, he’s not just rebuilding his career—he’s reinventing it. And if he keeps scoring like this, the Swiss league won’t be the last stop in his story.
The bottom line for Jesse Puljujärvi.
Jesse Puljujärvi has experienced many phases in his hockey career: top prospect, NHL hopeful, depth winger, and now a breakout star in Switzerland. After eight seasons in North America, he signed a two-year deal with Geneva‑Servette HC this summer, and it’s proving to be the perfect fit.