Eeli Tolvanen appears to have decided to stay in America to play hockey.

The 19-year-old Predators prospect was assigned to the AHL's Milwaukee Admirals before the season began, but there was a catch. A clause in the forward's contract allows him to return to the KHL after 10 AHL games.

But Tolvanen told a Finnish radio station he's going to remain with the Admirals and fine-tune his game on the smaller rinks in the States rather than return to the larger rinks of the KHL to play for his former team, Jokerit.

Tolvanen told Finnish media his "eyes are on the NHL" and that he believes playing in the American League will get him there faster.

Predators coach Peter Laviolette said during training camp that even though Tolvanen could opt to leave for the KHL, which would mean he couldn't return to the NHL until after that season ended, he believed honing his craft in the AHL would be more beneficial.

"As a young player it’s really important to go down there and learn the American game and the way it’s played over here," Laviolette said. "There's always a little bit of a learning curve at this level. The rink is a little bit different. It's hard for a 19-year-old in general coming in. ... You have to get up to speed."

Tolvanen, who has a goal and four assists in eight games this season, agreed that he needs to make some improvements before returning to the NHL.

He played in three games and played 12 minutes, 7 seconds with the Predators last season after he was picked 30th overall in the 2017 draft.

"I have to improve, little stuff," Tolvanen said during camp. "I have to start producing more in the offensive zone. But I think that’s going to come when the games go by and I get comfortable out there."

Reach Paul Skrbina at pskrbina@tennessean.com and follow him on Twitter @PaulSkrbina.

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