Fantenberg

The big news from this week will have LHC fans happy as their first year captain, Oscar Fantenberg, will be staying put. The 32 year old defender has had a diverse career that includes stints with the LA Kings, Calgary Flames and the Vancouver Canucks. He has also previously played with HV71, where he was a product of their junior program, as well as Frölunda. Before coming to Linköping last season he spent two season in the KHL playing with SKA St. Petersburg. The current contract for Fantenberg had a movement clause to Switzerland, should he want to exercise that option, however the new contract has removed that clause.

- In his previous agreement, Oscar had the opportunity to leave Linköping Hockey Club to play in Switzerland, but with this signing has now chosen to close that door, which we at LHC are of course very happy and grateful about. It is an incredibly strong sign for us that Oscar feels that he wants to be part of the journey we have started, says LHC's sporting director Peter Jakobsson.

The new contract is a one year extension upon the current one and will see Fantenberg remain in Linköping until the end of the 2026/27 season. In 33 games played, Fantenberg has scored one goal and added 16 assists and currently sits third overall in the league with 22:42 ATOI. 

PETER HOLGERSSON / BILDBYRÅN

Oscar Fantenberg.

Sjödin

Svante Sjödin has hit his 100 minute mark in the SHL and so has been awarded with a rookie contract by Örebro. The young 18 year old has appeared in 12 games with the big team this season but has had great success with the junior team. in 35 games played he has scored 16 goals and added 20 assists with the J20 squad. 

- First of all, we are very happy that yet another player has made the journey through our development activities. Svante has really done the job and impressed us when he got the chance in the A team. We have a lot of faith in Svante and it will be exciting to follow his continued journey with us, says Örebro Hockey's GM Stefan Bengtzén.

The new contract is for two years and extends through the end of the 2025/26 season. 

Sundberg

We had a lateral move this week in the league as Axel Sundberg has left Örebro and Joined Malmö. The 25 year old moved up from Hockey Allsvenskan this season after having a breakout year with Mora last season. Unfortunately that success has not translated to the big league and Sundberg and Örebro have decided to part ways. 

- We are happy to be able to add another forward to the team. Axel is a player we have followed for several years where we were interested in him already last year after his success in Mora. Axel is powerful in his style of play, uses his physique in a good way and has his strengths in his attack and inside play in the offensive zone, says Malmö's sporting director Björn Liljander.

The contract with the Redhawks runs through the end of next season. 

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Nilsson

Another young player was signed to a contract extension this week as Leksand has come to terms with 21 year old Fred Nilsson. The young defender came to Leksand this season on a tryout basis before being signed for the remainder of this year. The new contract will see Nilsson stay with the club for at least two more seasons. 

- Fred chose to take the chance with us before the season on a tryout contract and has since shown that there is a lot in his game that makes us happy to continue working with Fred for another two years. Fred is a lovely person whose strengths on the ice lie above all in his defensive work. He is a mobile defender who is strong in the melee game, positionally secure and accurate in the passing game, says Leksand's GM Thomas Johansson.

Alsenfelt

Former superstar goaltender Oscar Alsenfelt has found himself a new position off the ice. It was announced this week that the 36 year old will take over duties as sports director with Oskarshamn. Alsenfelt retired after the 2021/22 season with 11 seasons between the pipes, 327 games played, a record of 156-156, and career stats of a 2.41 GAA and a .919 SV%. He also posted 26 shutouts during his career and was named SHL Goaltender of the Year and Swedish Goaltender of the Year during the 2016/17 season. 

- Despite the advantages of previous work, I think my greatest strength is understanding individuals and how we need to think, train, and bring the whole together to create a winning team. A goal that has always driven me, and therefore I am looking forward to now being part of a club again and belonging to an elite association with demanding images thereafter, says Alsenfelt.

Since his retirement Alsenfelt has been involved with management of the SDHL. 

JOHAN BERNSTRÖM / Bildbyrån