Weekly Recap: Bristedt is Back

Bristedt

Compared to the previous week, the past seven days have been fairly slow when it comes to new player signings. However there was one big signing this week who SHL and especially Rögle fans will be very familiar with.

Leon Bristedt will be returning to the Rögle lineup for the upcoming season. Bristedt, 29, has spent the past two seasons in Switzerland playing with HC Davos. Previous to that he had spent four seasons with Rögle. 

- We all know Leon well, and it is with great joy that we welcome him home to Ängelholm and Rögle. We share the same ambition to take the club to the next level. In Leon, we get an ambitious guy with high demands on himself and his surroundings. He will be a catalyst in the offensive game for us, says sports manager Hampus Sjöström.

Not only is he returning but he will be playing with Rögle for the forseeable future. His new deal is valid for the next five seasons.

NICLAS JÖNSSON / Bildbyrån

Brynäs

With their promotion back to Swedens top league, Brynäs is going to have a busy off summer filling out their roster. However this week saw an exodus of players from the club, rather than any new signings. 

Jacob Blomqvist returned to Brynäs halfway through last season and stayed with them this season in Hockey Allsvenskan. The former Brynäs captain has a total of 9 seasons and 459 games with the club, but has announced he will not be returning for next season. 

- During his time in Brynäs, Jacob has been a fantastic contributor, everything from winning draws, a strong defensive player to producing both goals and assists. The biggest impression, however, is Jacke's ability to create energy in a group. The balance between being a clear demander and spreading joy is unique, says sports director Johan Alcén.

Another veteran is also departing Brynäs as Chad Billins has not be resigned for the coming season. The 35 year old American has 6 seasons of SHL experience and 2 seasons in Hockey Allsvenskan. It is unclear where Billins will be playing next season. 

Young forward Oskar Kvist has also not been resigned by Brynäs. The 22 year old is a product of the Brynäs organisation and has spent his entire junior and professional career with them. He scored 7 goals and 7 assissts this past season with Brynäs. 

Hellsten

A former Leksand junior player is returning to the club for the upcoming season. Jakob Hellsten played two seasons with the Leksand J20 team before moving to North America to play in the NCAA. For the past three seasons the young goal tender has been playing for the University of North Dakota and the University of New Hampshire. With New Hampshire this past season he posted a 2.04 GAA and a .909 SV% in 28 games played. He also boasted a record of 15-12-1. He was also nominated this past season for the Hobey Baker award as the top collegiate player in the NCAA. 

- It will be incredibly fun and inspiring to come back to Leksands IF. It feels like coming home. The time in the USA has been very developmental both on and off the ice. On the ice, I have competed against many current and future NHL stars, while on the side of the ice I have had a great personal development in the challenge of living in a new country and a new culture. When I now return to Leksand, I do so with a goal to come in and contribute to us as a team winning as many games as possible, says Hellsten.

With the signing, Leksand has solidified their goal keeper tandem for the coming season. Mantas Armalis will also be between the pipes for Leksand in the fall.