Swedish Hockey round up, August 2019
August has started and in Sweden that means the summer holidays are coming to an end and everyone is revving up for the autumn – including the nation’s hockey teams.
Linköping Hockey, for example, had a public training match on 1 August as both the men’s and women’s team took to the ice for the first time in their revamped Stångebro rink.
THE SDHL
The women’s league has seen an unprecedent amount of transfers this summer, partly a sign that there is more money in the game and partly as a response to the #ForTheGame movement.
Those who have signed up to the protest movement have pledge not to play hockey at all in North American in the 2019/20 season meaning that many have come to Europe.
For Swedes one of the most exciting signing is Michelle Löwenhielm return to her native country and HV71. She was the only Swede to be playing in the NWHL, with Connecticut Whale, and has not played in Europe since she went to college in 2014.
The season will start on 13 September.
THE SHL
Summer transfers are part and parcel of the men’s game in Sweden.
18 year old, Philip Broberg, pictured, was drafted #8 in Round 1 by the Edmonton Oilers - the highest drafted Swede this summer. But this autumn we will see the defenseman in the colours of Skellefteå AIK.
As regards returnees from the States, Boston Bruins drafted Jakob Forsbacka Karlsson will be back in Sweden as the 22-year-old centre joins Växjö Lakers.
The Småland club have also got a great result in prising Marcus Davidsson away from his youth club, Djurgården IF. The younger of the Davidsson brothers was drafted by Buffalo Sabres in 2017, has a silver medal from Junior World Championship and has collected c.0.5 PPG average in front of goal in the SHL over the last two years.
The SHL starts on Saturday 14 September.
THE CHL
As always, the Champions Hockey League starts just before the regular season in Sweden giving us the first taste of the new sides as well as fulfils the hockey fans longing to see some live competitive action again!
On 29 August Färjestad BK and Luleå HF will be at home on the first day of CHL action. Just a day later, defending champions Frölunda Indians will be at home against Austria’s Graz99ers.
30 August will also see Skellefteå AIK take to the ice against SC Bern. Stockholm team Djurgården IF will be the only Swedish team to play away as they travel to Poland.
@ABritOnThinIce1
