Another former Detroit Red Wing leaves North America to sign in the Swedish Hockey League
For the second time in a week, a former Detroit Red Wings player is heading home to play for Djurgarden in the Swedish Hockey League.
Goaltender Magnus Hellberg is the latest to join the team, following former Red Wings defenseman Gustav Lindstrom.
«I am incredibly proud and happy to represent Djurgarden for the next three seasons,» Hellberg said on the club's website. «Both I and my family are looking forward to becoming part of the Djurgarden family after 13 seasons abroad.»
Hellberg is 34 and played briefly for the Red Wings from 2021-23.
After signing with the Seattle Kraken and a stint with the Ottawa Senators, he returned to Detroit via waivers in November 2022. That season, he played 17 games, posting a 4-8-1 record, a 3.29 GAA, and an .885 save percentage.
Last season, he played for the AHL Texas Stars, facing the Grand Rapids Griffins in the Calder Cup playoffs.
Djurgarden has been newly promoted to the SHL, sees Hellberg as key to their success.
«He will be an extremely important cog for us to bring home,» Djurgarden sporting director Niklas Wikegard said. «He is a goalie that we feel safe with and who will upgrade us, together with the backline that we are putting in. He has represented some of the best clubs in the KHL and has been on the cusp of the best clubs in the NHL. He has also had strong results in the AHL in recent years.»
Hellberg won a gold medal with Sweden at the 2018 IIHF World Championships, but hasn't played in Sweden's domestic league since 2012.
Djurgarden will be the 23rd team of his professional career.
| POLL | ||
JUIN 13 | 76 ANSWERS Another former Detroit Red Wing leaves North America to sign in the Swedish Hockey League Do you remember Magnus Helleburg's time with the Detroit Red Wings? | ||
| Yes | 42 | 55.3 % |
| No | 34 | 44.7 % |
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