WEEKLY RECAP: SKELLEFTEÅ WITH BIG SIGNING

One of the busier weeks so far in July happened over the past seven days with five new signings, one retirement announcement and a multitude of players leaving their clubs. 

Oscar Lindberg

Skellefteå has signed an agreement with forward Oscar Lindberg. The contract is written until 2027. Lindberg comes from SC Bern in the Swiss league and he also has extensive experience from both the NHL and international tournaments. The last time he played in Skellefteå was in 2013. 

– It is very nice to have this ready. We've been going back and forth all summer so having everything ready before everything starts feels great. Coming home has been on the agenda for a few years. My family and I have felt more and more that we want to live full-time in Skellefteå, so it feels great to come home, says Lindberg.

Växjö

The big movers this week were the Växjö Lakers who signed a pair of players from the AHL to finalize their roster for the upcoming season. They signed American Zach Giuttari from the Abbotsford Canucks and Swedish defender Gabriel Carlsson.

Giuttari, a 27 year old defender, will be getting his first taste of Swedish hockey this season as he has played his entire career in North America. 

– I am incredibly happy to be part of such a fantastic organization. Växjö Lakers' success story and winning culture is something out of the ordinary and I look forward to a fantastic season with the team, says the 27-year-old in a press release from the Lakers.

Giutari has signed on for one season with the Lakers.

Carlsson, on the other hand, is no stranger to Swedish hockey. He is the product of the Linköping junior program and played two full seasons with the big team. However, in 2016 he moved to North America to try and crack into the NHL. He was a first round selection in 2015 going to the Columbus Blue Jackets 29th overall. During his time in North America he played 81 games in the NHL, scoring a trio of goals and adding 15 assists. However, the majority of his time in North America was spent playing in the AHL. He won the Calder cup with the Hershey Bears this past season. 

– We have talked to Gabriel for quite some time and felt that this is a player and person we would very much like to have in the team, said general manager Henrik Evertsson

Växjö has inked Carlsson to a three year deal. 

Fransson

38 year old Johan Fransson has decided to hang up his skates after a long and very diverse career. During his time on the ice he played six seasons in Switzerland, one season in the KHL and even made a brief appearance in the Finnish league. However, he has spent the majority of his professional career in Sweden. During his time in the SHL (and Elitserien) he played a total of 529 games with Luleå, Frölunda, Linköping and most recently Leksand. 

This announcement will not come as a surprise to anyone, however, as Franssons career came to an abrupt end in 2021 after a motor cycle accident left him badly injured. However, he has now made his retirement official. 

Nilsson

Leksand has signed a young prospect to their blue line as they have brought in Fred Nilsson. The 20 year old Swede is a product of the Skellefteå organisation, but played last season with Kristianstads in Hockey Allsvenskan. However, this is not a full contract for the young defender as he is being brought in on a try out basis with the team. But he says he's up to the challenge.

– I am very humble and extremely dedicated to the challenge of competing for a place in the team, says Nilsson.

Canadians

A pair of players from the great white north will be suiting up in the SHL this season as Brandon Davidson and Jérémy Groleau have signed contracts with Rögle and Färjestad respectively. 

Davidson got a small taste of Swedish hockey last season as he suited up for seven games in the regular season with Färjestad as well as seven playoff games. Previous to that, he spent time bouncing between the AHL and the NHL. He appeared in 180 NHL games with Edmonton, Montréal, New York Islanders, Chicago, Calgary, San José and Buffalo. 

Groleau, on the other hand, will be entering his first games in Swedens top league come September. The 23 year old defender has been a mainstay in the AHL for the past 5 seasons.

Players Leaving

It was also a busy week of players leaving the SHL as Karl Umegård and Niklas Torp will be joining Hockey Allsvenskan teams. Linus Fröberg is heading to TPS in Finland and Tobias Ekberg is joining Slovakian club Dukla Trencin.