Weekly Recap: NHL Contract for Young Prospect

Kero

HV71 has made an acquisition from across the pond this week as they have signed Tanner Kero. The American forward has spent his entire career in North America thus far, but will be making the trip to Sweden for next season. Kero, 31, has spent the majority of his career in the AHL but has also appeared in 134 games in the NHL with both Chicago and Dallas. However, he has spent the past two and a half seasons in the AHL with Colorado and Dallas' farm teams. 

- Both me and my family are very much looking forward to coming to Sweden and HV71. I hope to contribute a lot of experience to the team and be a reliable player all over the ice. I know that the SHL is an extremely good league and it will be fun to take on that challenge, says Kero.

This past season with the Colorado Eagles Kero scored 12 goals and added 21 assists in 59 games. 

- In Tanner, we get an intelligent two-way center who takes great responsibility and is recognized as structured in his game. His professionalism will mean a lot to our team and we welcome Tanner, his wife Taylor and their three sons to Jönköping and HV71, says GM Chris Abbott

The contract is valid for the coming season. 

Solberg

Stian Solberg made history this summer, along with his fellow countrymen Michael Brandsegg-Nygard, becoming the first two Norwegians to be drafted in the first round of the NHL draft. Solberg was drafted 23rd overall by the Anaheim Ducks and has now signed his entry level contract with the team. However, it is likely he will be suiting up in the SHL come fall. The 18 year old prospect signed with Färjestad earlier this off season and is likely to be loaned to the team for the coming season. Before the draft Solberg said:

- It will be Färjestad next year. I hope to play in Färjestad for at least one year, or maybe two. You don't know how it's going, maybe it's going a little worse or just that I simply need two to be there - or it's going great in the first year and I'm transferring. It's just a matter of waiting and seeing.

Dzierkals

Martins Dzierkals and Skellefteå have agreed to terms on a new contract. The 27 year old forward came to the SHL at the start of last season and won the championship with Skellefteå.

- We have both tried the market separately but have now come to the conclusion that we should continue the journey together. Martins was a contributing factor to our fine season last year where he did an excellent job, above all in defense and in box play. It feels good to continue with him for at least one more year, says Skellefteå's GM Erik Forssell.

OLA WESTERBERG / BILDBYRÅN

Seppälä

Örebro has strengthened their back end as they have signed Finnish defender Peetro Seppälä. The 23 year old has spent the past two seasons in the AHL with Seattles farm team. Previous to that he played four seasons in Finlands top league with KooKoo.

- We like what we have seen from him and see him as incredibly useful in all different forms of play. Peetro is also at a good age and our hope is that he will be able to take further steps in his development in our environment, says Örebro's sporting director Henrik Löwdahl.

The contract is valid for the next two seasons.