Career
He was selected by the Winnipeg Jets in the fifth round, 91st overall, of the 1991 National Hockey League Entry Draft. Ylönen played five seasons in Finland"s Master of Science-liiga before coming to North America to play. He joined the Phoenix Coyotes (which Winnipeg had become after relocation) organization for the 1996-1997 season, appearing in two National Hockey League games that season.
He had the best production of his career that season for the AHL Springfield Falcons, scoring 61 points in 70 games and adding 21 points in the playoffs.
He then played four full seasons with the Coyotes until he was traded prior to the 2001-2002 season to the Tampa Bay Lightning in exchange for Todd Warriner. Ylönen played 65 games for the Lightning that season, but was dealt to the Ottawa Senators at the trade deadline in exchange for Andre Roy and a pick in the 2002 National Hockey League Entry Draft.
After the 2001-2002 season, Ylönen left the National Hockey League and returned to Finland to play. He played two seasons for the Espoo Blues, with the last being the 2003-2004 season.
In his National Hockey League career, Ylönen appeared in 341 games.
He scored 26 goals and added 76 assists. He also appeared in 15 playoff games, recording seven assists.