WEEKLY RECAP: BIG LEAGUE SIGNINGS

NHL Contracts 

A trio of young SHL players made the next big step in their careers this week by signing entry level contracts in the NHL.

Fillip Bystedt was a late first round pick at last summers NHL entry draft, being selected 27th overall by the San José Sharks after an impressive season with Linköpings J20 team. In 40 games the young centre scored 16 goals and added 33 assists. He also appeared in 15 games with the big club that season. This past season he was a full time member of LHC, playing 45 games and registering 20 points. He has now signed his first contract with the Sharks. 

– I am of course incredibly happy to get this chance. Of course, it's something I've been thinking about since the draft, but at the same time, it's something I've been striving for since I was a little boy - that I'm standing here now actually feels a bit surreal, says Bystedt

Bystedt is not the only Linköping product to be offered an NHL contract this week. Fabian Wagner has signed with the Winnipeg Jets, who drafted him in the 6th round last summer. Wagner has had an impressive couple of seasons with Linköpings J20 team. Over the past two seasons he has scored 23 goals and added 48 assists in 76 games. He also had 15 appearance's with LHC this past season. 

– Of course, it feels incredibly good to be able to sign this agreement. It's a dream come true and is a sign that the hard work I put in every day is slowly but surely starting to pay off, says Wagner 

The third contract signed this week was by Oskar Pettersson as he signs with the Ottawa Senators who drafted him in the 3rd round last summer. Just like the other two, Pettersson has found great success in the Junior league. For Rögles J20 team over the past two seasons he has scored 48 goals and added 21 assists in 70 games. 

All three signees are expected to remain in Sweden with their respective clubs, on loan from their new NHL teams. 

Goal Keepers

A pair of teams signed new net minders this week as Färjestad has recruited some Canadian talent between the pipes and HV71 welcomes back a Swedish net minder.

30 year old Max Lagacé will be getting his first taste of professional hockey outside of North America. The Quebec native has had a diverse career in North America playing with Dallas, Vegas, Pittsburgh, Tampa Bay and their affiliate teams. All in all he has had 20 NHL appearance's and 244 AHL games over the past 9 seasons.  

– I'm a fairly calm goalkeeper, and I think Swedish hockey will suit me well. Of course, there will be a slight adjustment with the size and angles of the rink, but the game is the same so there probably won't be any problems, says Lagacé

The contract is valid for the coming season. 

Unlike Lagacé, the new signing for HV71 is very familiar with Swedish hockey. Victor Brattström has spent the past two seasons playing with Detroits AHL and ECHL affiliates, but did not get an opportunity to see action in the NHL. Previous to that he played with Timrå for four season and he also played a single season in Finland with KooKoo.

– In Victor, we get an extremely talented goalkeeper who has a strong drive and is very well trained. He will be a perfect complement to Joni Ortio, says Kent Norberg, sports manager in HV71

Extensions

Two players were given contract extensions this week as Rögle has extended with Valtteri Viljanen and Oskarshamn will be seeing a lot more of Niclas Burström. 

Viljanen, a 29 year old defender, joined Rögle at the end of this past season, playing just 10 games with the club in the regular season and 9 in the playoffs. However he impressed the management with his play and will be returning to Rögle next season. 

– Valtteri came in and showed what he is capable of. We look forward to a full season with him in the squad and believe he has even more in him, says Rögle's sporting director Chris Abbott

Niclas Burström returned to the SHL this past season after a year in Germany. The 32 year old veteran defender has 14 seasons and 543 games under his belt in Swedens top league. 

– My family and I have enjoyed ourselves very well here during our first season. There won't be that many personal goals. It's more about the team. Oskarshamn will take even more steps already now. We have an exciting squad and it will be incredibly fun. It feels exciting for next season, says Burström

Burström had already signed a three contract when he first joined Oskarshamn, but that contract has been extended by an additional two seasons, meaning he will be in Oskarshamn until the end of the 2026/27 season.