 Lehtonen moved to Tappara for the 2017–18 season agreeing to an initial two-year contract.In 2018, Lehtonen left Tappara by mutual consent and re-joined HV71 of the SHL.On 9 April 2019, Lehtonen as a free agent left HV71, returning to Finland in signing a two-year contract with KHL participant, Jokerit.