Latest news with #SHL
Yahoo
a day 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
a day ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Former Hershey Bears Forward Luke Philp Signs In Sweden
Former Hershey Bears forward Luke Philp has signed a one-yea deal in Sweden with Farjestad BK, it was reported late last week. Philp, who hails from Canmore, Alta., spent the entire 2024-25 season with the Bears, collecting 10 goals and 20 assists for 30 points in 58 regular season games. With the Bears having made the playoffs, Philp put up a further four points in eight games. Having turned pro in 2019, Philp has played in a total of 281 AHL regular season games over the course of his career with the Bears, Stockton Heat and Rockford IceHogs. Philp has also managed to get into three NHL games – all with the Chicago Blackhawks – where he collected an assist. With Philp off to the SHL, he will be someone to monitor on the offensive side of the puck. Always able to produce no matter what level he is playing at, Philp will be a nice addition to Farjestad BK when he steps out onto the ice.
Yahoo
3 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
7 days ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Former Lightning prospect inks two-year deal with Leksands IF of the SHL
The Tampa Bay Lightning's former second-round pick Gabriel Fortier will be heading to Sweden, after signing a two-year deal with Leksands IF of the SHL.
Yahoo
19-07-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Former Lightning prospect inks two-year deal with Leksands IF of the SHL
The Tampa Bay Lightning's former second-round pick Gabriel Fortier will be heading to Sweden, after signing a two-year deal with Leksands IF of the SHL.
