With the past week behind us, we take a look at player and personnel moves within the league. This weeks highlights include HV71 adding a long time NHL veteran, Frölunda recruits and American and Linköping adds young talent to their blue line.
Sjöström
Linköping has picked up 18 year old Elias Sjöström for the upcoming season. Although the young defenceman has no experience in the SHL he put up good numbers from the blue line with Södertälje's J20 team this past season, he is also eligible for this summers NHL entry draft.
– We look forward to working with Elias in the coming years. He has qualities that we think are interesting to take a closer look at and continue working with. We know that we will have players away on national teams during the season, among other things, Mattias Hävelid will most likely play in the Junior WC so we need to be numerically strong over time, says Linköping's GM Niklas Persson
The contract is valid for the next two seasons.
Luleå
Luleå made a couple of moves this week, both on and off the ice, including a player fans of the team will be familiar with. Jesper Sellgren will be returning to the leagues most northern team. Sellgren, 24, decided to test the waters in North America this past season playing with the Chicago Woves in the AHL. Sellgren previously played with Luleå for two seasons between 2018 and 2020. His new contract with the team is valid for the next three seasons.
– With Jesper Sellgren, we know that we get a very good defender for the team. A player who has developed further since he was last with us and who still has room to get even better. In addition, we already know that he works very well with our way of playing, so it will be fun to see him back in Norrbotten again, says Luleå's GM Stefan Nilsson.
Luleå also brought in some experienced talent behind the bench this week promoting 35 year old Anti Alamäki to assistant coach. He was the head coach of the J20 squad last year and will be stepping in to replace Roger Kyrö, who is on sick leave until further notice.
Bödker
HV71's return to the SHL is heavily anticipated and they are taking steps to ensure they are a competitive team right off the bat. This week saw them sign long time NHL winger Mikkel Bödker to a one year contract. Bödker played in 709 NHL games over twelve seasons with Arizona, Colorado, San Jose and Ottowa. The past two seasons he played in Switzerland with HC Lugano.
– A very skilled player both with and without the puck. He likes to build his game with his fine skating and will fit well into our game with a lot of speed. He is extremely motivated to come to HV71 and it will be exciting to see him in the SHL and in the HV jersey, says HV71's sports director Kent Norberg.
Wernblom
Malmö has recruited some young talent this week bringing in 21 year old Lukas Wernblom. The young forward put up impressive numbers over the past two season with Mora in Hockey Allsvenskan. In 99 games played he tallied a total of 37 goals and 50 assists.
– In Lukas we get a young and promising player who has shown proof that he is a top player in Hockey Allsvenskan, where he was a producing forward during his time in Mora. I have had the opportunity to follow him for a long time and I also know him well after having had him as a player during my time in the U18 national team, says Malmö's sports manager Björn Liljander.
Greco
The final news of the week comes out of Frölunda who have brought in some American talent. They have recruited 28 year old Anthony Greco. The Queens, New York native will be getting his first taste of European hockey this season after spending the past six season in the AHL, he also played four seasons in the NCAA with Ohio University.
– He is a fast player with the ability to find the net. A good last piece of the puzzle on the forward side, says Frölunda's sports manager Fredrik Sjöström
The contract is valid for the upcoming season.