Latest news with #Gävle
Yahoo
2 hours ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
CONFIRMED: Nicklas Bäckström Is Back In Sweden
Swedish center Nicklas Bäckström, 37, has signed a contract to play for Brynäs, the SHL club announced at a press conference on Monday morning. The contract is for one year plus an option.
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Nicklas Backstrom Reflects On His Health, Journey & Return To The Ice With Brynäs: 'I Feel Energized... Body Feels Great'
After missing the last two seasons with the Washington Capitals, Nicklas Backstrom is making his long-awaited return to the ice in fitting fashion with his hometown team, Brynäs IF. It marks a full-circle moment for the Swede, who officially signed a contract to return to the SHL this season and took the ice with his new club. "I've always felt that I would like to represent Brynäs again someday if the opportunity arose," Backstrom said in a release. "I've long had a great drive to return to Brynäs. After undergoing rehab and being away from the game for almost two seasons, I feel energized to contribute to the club's success." Backstrom also took the time to reflect on his 17 years with the Capitals organization, where he finished his career as the sixth-highest scoring Swede to play in the league with 1,033 points in 1,105 games. 'I had an incredibly wonderful 18 years in Washington as a city and organization," Backstrom said in his press conference. "They have been exemplary in everything, and of course, I have a lot to thank them for being here today.' Backstrom last played back in October 2023, when he decided to put his playing career on pause amid ongoing complications following hip resurfacing surgery he underwent in June 2022. His hip has been a chronic issue that plagued him over the course of his time in the District, and ultimately, he wasn't able to continue playing at the NHL level. Since then, though, he's gotten back to training and said that he is healthy and confident he can be an impactful player. "Right now, my body feels great. I've been on the ice all summer. I feel ready to take on that task," Backstrom said, adding, "It's hard to say, but I myself feel that I'm hopefully a good hockey player and can contribute as much as possible." Backstrom was in high spirits as he skated with his new team on Monday back home, and said that he and his family are excited for the next chapter. It'll take time to adapt to life away from the NHL, but in the end, it's a challenge he's ready for. "Looking forward to the challenge... It'll be a lot of new things at the beginning, but i'll do everything I can to get into it as quickly as possible.'
Yahoo
4 days ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Ducks' Italian Goalie Prospect Loaned Back To Swedish Club
Italian goaltender Damian Clara, has been loaned by the Anaheim Ducks to Brynäs IF, the Gävle-based SHL club announced on Saturday. For Clara, it is a return to the team that he starred for in the 2023-24 season. 'It feels really good to be back with Brynäs,' Clara is quoted. 'I know everyone in the organization and I feel very comfortable here. I felt early on that I wanted to return to Brynäs and when it became a possibility, there was nothing to think about, as I feel safe in this environment.' 'Everyone probably remembers Damian's season in the HockeyAllsvenskan with great joy and it will be exciting to work with him again,' said club sports director Johan Alcén. 'Despite his young age, he is very mature both on and off the ice and fits perfectly into the squad. Damian competes hard every day and we believe he can take a further step in his development in our environment.' Following a fine season with Färjestad in Sweden's top junior league, Clara was Anaheim's second pick, 60th overall in the 2023 NHL Entry Draft. Confirmed: Ducks Goalie Prospect Damian Clara Signs In Finland Italian goaltender Damian Clara, 20, will finish the season in the Finnish Liiga with Kärpät Oulu, the Liiga club announced on Saturday. The following season, Clara was loaned to Brynäs, which then played in Sweden's second-tier professional league. Starting the year as a backup, an injury to veteran Anders Lindbäck in December gave the starting job to Clara and he ran with it, backstopping the team to the league title and a promotion to the SHL. Last season, however, following a return to Färjestad, Clara took a step back. After posting dismal numbers through 21 games, he was reassigned to Kärpät Oulu of the Finnish Liiga for the team's final 10 games of the season, then finished the season with two games with the AHL's San Diego Gulls. With Brynäs, Clara is slated to back up ex-NHLer Collin Delia, whom the team signed last month. Brynäs also has under contract another former NHLer in Erik Källgren, but he's expected to be out of the lineup until early 2026 following hip surgery. Former Blackhawks, Canucks Goalie Signs In Sweden American goaltender Collin Delia, 31, has signed a one-year contract with Brynäs IF, the Gävle-based SHL club announced on Friday. A member of the Italian national team for the last three seasons, Clara is expected to be one of Italy's goalies at the upcoming Winter Olympics on home ice in Milan. A reasonable forecast could see him play for Brynäs until the Olympic break, and then head back to the AHL after the Olympics if Källgren is healthy enough by then. Despite just being promoted from the tier-two HockeyAllsvenskan last season, Brynäs finished first in the SHL regular-season standings and went all the way to the league finals, losing to Lulea in six games. Besides Delia, Brynäs has also signed former NHL first-round pick Kieffer Bellows this off-season. Other players under contract for the coming season include Jakob Silfverberg, Johan Larsson, Robert Hägg, Oskar Lindblom, Michal Kempný and Christian Djoos. Photo: Fredrik Karlsson / Färjestad Karlstad / Champions Hockey League. Predicting Italy's 2026 Olympic roster Italy is the 20th-ranked men's ice hockey team in the world, but is one of the 12 teams that will participate in the men's tournament at the 2026 Winter Olympics because it is being held in Milan.
Yahoo
11-07-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Former Blackhawks, Canucks Goalie Signs In Sweden
American goaltender Collin Delia, 31, has signed a one-year contract with Brynäs IF, the Gävle-based SHL club announced on Friday. 'My family and I are incredibly happy to have this opportunity to represent a prestigious club like Brynäs,' said Delia. 'The team's passionate fans combined with its proud history made our decision easy. I'm looking forward to the season and I want to contribute to us going all the way and winning Swedish championship.' Advertisement Winning a title wouldn't be such a huge leap for Brynäs who, despite being promoted from the tier-two HockeyAllsvenskan last season, finished first in the SHL regular-season standings and went all the way to the league finals, losing to Lulea in six games. Delia joins a Brynäs team that has several big-name players, including Jakob Silfverberg, Johan Larsson, Robert Hägg, Oskar Lindblom, Michal Kempný and Christian Djoos. Delia is the only healthy goaltender under contract right now, as former Toronto Maple Leafs goaltender Erik Källgren isn't expected back until early 2026 after undergoing hip surgery. 'Collin is well-deserved and we have followed him for a long time,' said Brynäs sports director Johan Alcén. 'He's a goalie who always gives his best for the team and knows what is required at the highest level. He is very well-educated and incredibly good on his skates. It will be exciting to work with him and see what he can achieve in our environment.' Ex-NHL D-Man Moves From Czechia To Sweden Ex-NHL D-Man Moves From Czechia To Sweden Czech defenseman Michal Kempný, 34, has signed a one-year contract with Brynäs IF, the Gävle-based SHL club announced on Friday. Advertisement Born in Rancho Cucamonga, Cal., Delia played three years of NCAA hockey at Merrimack College and then signed as a free agent with the Chicago Blackhawks in 2017. Between 2017 and 2022, he played 32 NHL games with Chicago, spending the rest of the time with the AHL's Rockford IceHogs. In 2022, Delia signed with the Vancouver Canucks, starting the season in the minors, third in the team's goaltending depth chart, but played 20 NHL games that season after Thatcher Demko was injured and Spencer Martin faltered in the starting role. Delia spent the last two seasons in the minor-league systems of the Winnipeg Jets and Edmonton Oilers. In 52 NHL games, Delia has a goals-against average of 3.51, a save percentage of .897, a record of 19-18-7 and no shutouts. This is his first contract to play in Europe. Photo © Bob Frid-Imagn Images. Goalie Spencer Martin Signs In KHL Goalie Spencer Martin Signs In KHL Canadian goaltender Spencer Martin, 30, has signed a two-year contract with CSKA Moscow, the KHL club announced on Wednesday.
Yahoo
01-06-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Robert Hägg Returns To Sweden
Swedish defenseman Robert Hägg, 30, has signed a one-year contract with Brynäs IF, the Gävle-based SHL club announced on Wednesday. Hägg is returning to Sweden after spending the past 11 seasons in North America, split between the NHL and AHL in six different organizations. 'It feels really good to come to Brynäs,' said Hägg. 'I have been in the USA for many years and felt that it was a good time to return home to Sweden. I have had very good conversations with Johan Alcén and the club has clear visions that match mine. In the end, it was an easy decision when we got to that stage. I look forward to getting to work.' Advertisement 'Robert is a big, solid player who has accumulated a lot of experience and we will benefit greatly from that,' said Alcén, the club's sports director. 'We like his whole aura when he is out on the ice where he does not hesitate to step into the melée. He is a humble and respectful person who really makes his surroundings better and wants to win. He will fit in perfectly with the group.' Born in Uppsala, Sweden, Hägg developed in the MoDo system and he was rumored to be heading to that club a few months ago; however, MoDo's relegation to the second-tier HockeyAllsvenskan was probably a factor in him deciding to play elsewhere. Hägg was chosen in the second round, 41st overall, by the Philadelphia Flyers in the 2013 NHL Entry Draft. Between 2016 and 2025, he played 345 NHL regular-season games for the Flyers, Buffalo Sabres, Florida Panthers, Detroit Red Wings, Anaheim Ducks and Vegas Golden Knights, recording 63 points and 208 penalty minutes. He added three assists in 14 playoff games, all with Philadelphia. Robert Hägg to Anaheim: 'Why did you even sign me at all?' Robert Hägg to Anaheim: 'Why did you even sign me at all?' Last month, while he was still considering his options for the 2024-25 season, Advertisement Robert Hägg gave an interview with a Swedish reporter for where he expressed some of his disappointment with how things worked out in Anaheim. After being a regular NHLer for six seasons, Hägg only played seven games in the league over the past two seasons. He considered returning to Sweden last summer after a particularly sour experience in Anaheim, which he shared with Swedish media, but decided to give it one more shot with Vegas. Hägg joins a Brynäs team that is coming off a season in which it shattered all expectations. Just after being promoted from the HockeyAllsvenskan, Brynäs finished first overall in the regular season and made it to the SHL finals, where it lost to Lulea in six games. In addition to Hägg, the club's roster includes ex-NHLers Jakob Silfverberg, Johan Larsson, Oskar Lindblom, Christian Djoos, Axel Jonsson-Fjällby, Mattias Norlinder and goaltender Erik Källgren. Last year's team included defensemen Charles-Édouard D'Astous and Victor Söderström – however, D'Astous has signed with the Tampa Bay Lightning and, although Söderström is under contract for another season with Brynäs, it is expected that he might sign with the Chicago Blackhawks – who acquired his NHL rights in the spring. Advertisement Photo © Eric Hartline-Imagn Images Victor Soderstrom Wins Borje Salming Trophy As SHL's Top Defenseman Victor Soderstrom Wins Borje Salming Trophy As SHL's Top Defenseman Victor Söderström has been named the top defenseman in the Swedish Hockey League for the 2024-25 season. As a result, he has been awarded the Börje Salming Trophy.
