Skellefteå AIK
Skellefteå AIK are without a doubt the most successful team in the SHL era (since 2013). Part of that success is about retaining quality players and that's what they done this year with top scorers Joakim Lindström (pictured) and Oscar Möller staying at the club. Meanwhile Pär Lindholm, the third member of last season's power trio, deservedly is getting his first ever shot at the NHL having signed a contract with Toronto Maple Leafs.
Whilst the team has lost a few players to other SHL rivals, they also have gained some players who were already in Sweden such as forwards Robin Alvarez (Malmö) and Mathis Olimb (Linköping).
In terms of new signings from outside the country, one of them is Swedish defenseman, Petter Granberg. The 25 year old is returning to his youth club after 5 years in North America where he played 258 games in the AHL with an incredible plus/ minus of +37.
On the forward's line, another new recruit is Finn, Juhamatti Aaltonen. Although the 33 year old was drafted by the St Louis Blues in 2003, he has never played on the continent instead concentrating on the Liiga and KHL. He has also played for the national team every year from 2006/7 for 10 years, at total of 88 matches.
Aaltonen joins a team that are one of my favourites to win the league this year.
@ABritOnThinIce1
