Like everyone else, I’m wondering how it is September already! Not that I’m complaining, though, as that means competitive European hockey is about to be begin. The SHL teams are stepping up their preparations for 21 September and I’ve been updating the team line-up charts to reflect the recent pre-season games. As always, click on the team name heading to go to their team page where you can find the line-up chart.
Brynäs
Brynäs played previous Hockey Allsvenskan rivals AIK on Friday night and lost 6-2. The score really doesn’t matter, but it’s a small blow to the ego that they will look to put behind them quickly.
The two main concerns coming out of the game were Brynäs being called for seven penalties and Jakob Silfverberg leaving the ice early in the Third Period due to injury. Silfverberg took a nasty puck to the body whilst blocking a shot. The initial reports make it sound like the sort of incident that hurts like mad but shouldn’t lead to him missing any significant time.
Örebro
Örebro were in pre-season action against AIK’s rivals Djurgården on Saturday. The English translation of the (brief) match report on Örebro’s website made me chuckle:
Örebro had a rather weak performance against Djurgården on Saturday afternoon. Despite that, Örebro took their third straight victory during the pre-season. The final score was 2-3 after extra time and Örebro’s goals were scored by Christopher Mastomäki, Ludvig Larsson and Patrik Puistola
HV71
HV71 issued a helpful injury update on their website from doctor Jonas Kalman. Generally the news is positive with players back training with the team this coming week, other than the known long-term lay-off for William Ignberg Nilsson.
Mikael Seppälä is continuing his recovery from the back injury he suffered at the end of December 2023. Whilst it still looks like he will not be ready for the start of the SHL regular season, there are encouraging signs that he could be back on the ice sooner rather than later.
André Petersson’s complicated off-season continues with him being 1-2 weeks away from full training with the team. That doesn’t yet rule him out for HV’s opener on 21 September, although if it’s the latter end of that timescale then opening day may come a little too soon for him.
MoDo
I have updated their line-up from the game on Saturday against Timrå. MoDo have some players away on international duty and a few pre-season aches and pains, so only listed five defencemen.
Timrå
As for Timrå, they look to be in pretty good shape at the moment with most of their key players playing an active part in pre-season.
Oliver Kapanen arguably is the biggest question mark. The 21-year-old has been the centre on the top line so far in pre-season. Kapanen signed with Timrå this off-season, after dazzling for Finland’s KalPa in the second half of last season; however, it remains a possibility that he will not actually play a competitive game with them.
He will leave for training camp with the Montréal Canadiens soon and their Front Office and coaching staff will be watching him closely. Such is his potential, they may feel that Kapanen could contribute at the NHL level this coming season and decide to option him to their AHL affiliate Laval Rocket.
All at Timrå will have their fingers firmly crossed that he ends up on a flight back to them later in September.
