Will Janne will be eligible for ROY honors?

In the NHL, a player can be no older than 26 to win the rookie award, a limit established to avoid a repeat of 1990. That year, 31-year-old Sergei Makarov won the NHL's award over 19-year-old Mike Modano. Makarov had played professionally for years in the Soviet Union.Some have suggested a similar age limit for baseball's rookie award.(excerpt from an SI article)

Janne doesn't turn 27 until May 11 2009, but will he considered a professional with his playing in the Finnish Elte league