Off Ice News

With just a single game having been played this week, there is not much to report from an on ice persepctive. But with the break, a lot of teams made moves off ice and one player in particular announced his intention to retire after the season has concluded.

Lundqvist

At 40 years of age, Joel Lundqvist has announced that his playing days will come to end after this season has concluded. Lundqvists career has spanned 23 seasons, the vast majority of which were played in the SHL. Including playoffs and his time in the NHL and AHL, Lundqvist has played a total of 1,291 games professionally, 1,067 of which were in the SHL. In his time in the SHL he has scored 229 goals and accounted for 358 assists. He currently sits second overall in games played and will finish his career that way. He has also spent his entire SHL career with Frölunda and has been their captain since 2009.

– There have been a lot of thoughts and feelings to deal with, but I have come to terms with the fact that this will be my last season. I still love competing and playing hockey, but since November last year I have been thinking about whether I should continue playing or not. I know what is required on and off the ice in my role and I feel ready. I want to be honest with the association, my teammates, fans and myself, says Joel Lundqvist.

Despite his announcement, Lundqvist says he is still focusing on finishing his career on a high note.

– I am extremely excited for the rest of the season, the last and most important part. To win is the obvious goal, at the same time I want to enjoy representing Frölunda with all that that entails. For me, it's full focus on the here and now before it's time to look towards a new chapter in life.

His career highlights include four Swedish Championships, Two World Championships, and Four Champions League titles. Frölunda sits fifth overall in the standings with ten games remaining in the regular season.

Högberg

Linus Högberg will be returning to the SHL after spending the past two seasons testing the waters in North America. Högberg, 24, is a product of the Växjö organization who he played with for six season as part of their junior organization and main team. Now, however, he will be joining Skellefteå.

– They showed an early interest when we were looking for an alternative, and they are a very good team. I feel like I want to join the ride which looks very promising here. It was interesting right from the start when they got in touch, says Högberg

Högberg has spent the majority of his time in North America playing with the Lehigh Valley Phantoms in the AHL. He also had a handful of games with the Philadelphia Flyers.

Camper

There have been a number of departures from the SHL announced this week, including Carter Camper, whose time with Leksand has come to an end. Camper came to the SHL in the 2020/21 season and has found great offensive success with Leksand. In his 137 games with the team he has scored 38 goals and added 83 assists, for a total of 121 points. He has been one of the leagues top point scorers since his arrival in Sweden. It was revealed earlier this season that Leksand would not be offering Camper a contract extension at the end of this season.

– It is frustrating and hard. I have been here for three years, I have three children and they have grown up here. I'm trying to figure out what's best, not only for me and my career, but also for my family. There have been emotional days and Leksand will always be a special place for me and my family. The fans are so supportive and I will always have good memories of the city, says Camper.

The 34 year old American has signed with EV Zug in The Swiss League.

Departures

A number of other departures from the SHL were also announced this week. Noel Edfeldt has been loaned from Timrå to Östersunds IK. Andreas Borgman will be heading to Switzerland after this season as he has departed Frölunda and signed with Fribourg-Gottéron. Tomi Karhunen has also made a move that sends him to Switzerland as he departs from Brynäs and has join SC Bern. The veteran goalntender David Rautio has also signed with a Swiss club as he joins the SCL Tigers. And Skellefteå has loan Theo Keilin to Djurgården.

Cehlárik

In a move that might be related to the departure of Carter Camper, Leksand has brought back Slovakian forward Peter Cehlárik, recruiting him from Swiss club EV Zug. Cehlárik, 27, previously played with Leksand in 2020/21 and also played a pair of seasons with Luleå. He has spent the past two seasons in the KHL and the Swiss League.

– First of all, I am really happy and looking forward to coming back to Leksand. I am grateful for the trust I receive again from Leksands IF's organization. Even when I left the village almost two years ago, I felt that a part of me remained there. Leksand was something special for me and my family and we are happy to call it our home again. For me, this is a long-term decision. I have followed Leksand the whole time and it is exciting to see where the association is going. All processes take time, but now I feel that we will seriously be a contender for the gold. I will do everything I can to help the team reach all the way, says Cehlárik

The contract is long term and will see Cehlárik remain with the team for the next three seasons.