Weekly Recap: Rögle Makes Moves

Rögle

It was a busy week for the team from Ängelholm this week as they made a number of signings for next season.

Arguably their biggest signing was their acquisition of defensemen Jesper Pettersson. The 29 year old has spent the past three seasons with Linköping. Previous to that he played with Djurgården and also played three seasons in the AHL/ECHL. 

- Rögle is an interesting team and association that has done very well in recent years and has something exciting going on. It's something that I want to be involved in and something that can be very good. The team has been very close to winning twice now and that is exactly what you play hockey for. Rögle has every opportunity to be a winning team and I want to be part of that journey, says Pettersson.

Another big signing this week for Rögle is Oliver Eklind. The 25 year old forward has spent the past 4 seasons and his entire SHL career with Örebro. Previous to that he played in Hockey Allsvenskan and Hockey Ettan. 

- It feels like a very good environment for me to develop in. Following Rögle and the supporters during the playoffs was really cool. I want to win gold, and there are all the conditions to do so in Rögle, says Eklind.

Both acquisitions were announced earlier this season, but both have now been finalised and each player has inked a two year contract with Rögle. 

AVDO BILKANOVIC / BILDBYRÅN

Rögle also made more signings this week as they signed Filip Johansson, Eric Burger, Mattias Göransson and Calle Själin. 

Johansson, 24, was a first round pick by the Vancouver Canucks in 2018 and spent this past season with their AHL affiliate where he scored 5 goals and added 13 assists from the blue line in 55 games played. Previous to that, he played with Frölunda and Leksand. 

- We are very happy that Filip has chosen to continue his development with us. He is incredibly ambitious, offensively gifted with good shots and smooth with the puck. He complements our existing backup set-up perfectly and will contribute strongly to driving our offense from the back, says sporting director Hampus Sjöström.

Eric Burger is a young prospect that will likely be playing most of next season with Rögles J20 squad, but could see some ice time on the main team. 

- This is a good skating young man, who is good in the physical game and good at moving the puck. It is a young promising back, who loves to train and develop. He wants to test his wings in our environment, and we want to see what he's up to with us, says Rögle's sporting director Hampus Sjöström.

Göransson is making a lateral move as he departs Färjestad and joins Rögle. The 29 year old defensemen has spent the past three seasons with Färjestad and, previous to that, two seasons with Leksand. 

FREDRIK KARLSSON / BILDBYRÅN

Själin will be making his return to the SHL after spending the past two season playing in the AHL. The 24 year old defensemen previously played with Leksand.

- We are very happy to work with Calle. During his years in Charlotte and Rochester, he has been given a lot of defensive responsibility, developing that side of his game in a very satisfying way. He is also offensively gifted, has good mobility and puck touch. Calle will be a stable pawn in our construction, says Hampus Sjöström.

O'Neill

Luleå has signed American Brian O'Neill this week and he will be making his SHL debut in the fall. The 35 year old forward has spent the past 8 seasons in Europe, two in Switzerland with EV Zug and six with Jokerit in the KHL. He also spent five season in the AHL and had a brief stint in the NHL with New Jersey. 

- Brian O'Neill is a very skilled center who is offensively gifted and has scored a lot of points throughout his career. This at the same time as he is intense in his game and useful all over the court. We see him as an important piece of the puzzle to above all help us in the offensive game and it will be exciting to see him in our colours going forward, says Luleå's vice GM, Ulf Engman

O'Neill has also represented the US in the past two Winter Olympics. 

Brandsegg-Nygård

Skellefteå has signed an exciting young prospect this week. Norwegian forward Michael Brandsegg-Nygård is projected to go mid to late first round in this summers NHL entry draft. The 18 year old played this past season with Mora in Hockey Allsvenskan. He also represented Norway at the World Juniors this past winter and is currently playing with Norway in the World Championship. 

- They have always been a good team and I have heard a lot of positive things about how they develop players and make them better, so it will be incredibly fun to get there, says Brandsegg-Nygård.

Heljanko

With the unexpected departure of Marcus Högberg, Linköping has been left with a spot to fill between the pipes and it seems they have found their replacement this week. Christian Heljanko has been signed out of Finland and will be getting his first taste of Swedish hockey in the fall. 

- I am very happy and excited to sign for Linköping Hockey Club. I have only heard good things about the city, the club and the supporters. The SHL is a really good league and I see this as a new big challenge and an important step in my career, says Heljanko.

Last season the 27 year old goalkeeper had a career year with Tappara where he posted a 2.23 GAA, a .916 SV% with 7 shutouts and a record of 27-10-11. The team also went on to win the league championship with Heljanko in net. 

- Of course, it feels very good that we managed to solve the goalkeeper issue with Christian Heljanko in particular. Christian has been the Finnish league's absolute best goalkeeper for the past three seasons and also has useful national team merits. He has won a lot in his career and as a goalkeeper his best years are ahead of him. An exciting goalkeeper who we will help take the next step in his development while he will contribute to helping us take the next step as a team, says sporting director Peter Jakobsson. 

Granberg

Växjö have added a new face to their blue line as Petter Granberg departs Skellefteå and joins the Lakers next season. Granberg, 31, has spent his entire SHL career with Skellefteå. He has also had experience playing in the AHL and NHL. 

- When Växjö showed interest, it immediately felt like an exciting option. An association that has been very successful in recent years and that gives itself the conditions to go all the way. It feels good to come to Växjö in particular and become part of an already good team, says Granberg.

PETTER ARVIDSON / BILDBYRÅN

Lejon

Brynäs will be rejoining the SHL next season and they have also signed a young prospect to their organisation. Hugo Lejon played in 17 games with Västerås in Hockey Allsvenskan last season but spent the majority of the season with their J20 team. 

- Hugo is an exciting and young player in whom we believe very much. We have kept a good eye on him and his performances for several seasons and we are particularly impressed by the steps he took last year. He has a very large development potential and possesses a fine sense of play. Like all young players, there are things he needs to develop, but it will be really exciting to be able to work and follow Hugo in the coming years, says sports manager Johan Alcén.