Story Summary
Herman Träff has been preparing for a step to North America ahead of the 2026-27 season, adding weight and working with a new club recruit as he heads to a rookie tournament on 5 September with the aim of earning a place overseas.
Key Facts
- Träff says his weight has risen from 95 kg to about 98 kg.
- He will travel for a rookie tournament on 5 September.
- Träff has been training with Matt Brown at his parent club.
- He described a physical style he intends to keep, but said he is not seeking fights.
- His past clubs and development path include early time at IKO, HV71 junior development, 36 SHL games, a loan to Nybro and a 44-point season in Hockeyallsvenskan.
- The article references San Diego Gulls in connection with time in the AHL.
IHM Discussion
Träff presents himself as a young forward trying to translate a strong Hockeyallsvenskan season into opportunities in North America. He reports a focused physical preparation – a modest weight rise from 95 to about 98 kg – and says he has worked specifically with Matt Brown at his club to ready himself for a different style of play. The weight gain and targeted training are concrete steps a player often takes when preparing for the North American game, where physicality and board play are emphasised.
He is frank about the limits of that physicality. The light-hearted comment about dropping the gloves, made while training with Brown, is clearly a joke; Träff follows it by saying he will not seek fights and that his priorities remain shooting and skating. He also recalls an incident in which a known enforcer left him with a cracked thumb, and he says he would forecheck that opponent again if given the chance. That mix of resilience and a focus on skillful play is the practical profile he is selling ahead of the rookie tournament on 5 September.
Why It Matters
For Träff, the coming rookie tournament is a concrete checkpoint. Success there can open doors to playing time in North America. His recent season form in Hockeyallsvenskan, coupled with deliberate physical preparation and extra work with a newly arrived club player, make this an important moment in his transition from Sweden’s second tier to the AHL/NHL pathway.
What Comes Next
Träff will travel for a rookie tournament on 5 September. He has stated his goal is to earn a place in North America; he also referenced San Diego Gulls when discussing AHL plans.
Mini Q&A
When does Träff head to North America for the rookie tournament?
He will travel on 5 September for a rookie tournament.
How much weight has he added in preparation?
Träff says he has gone from about 95 kg to roughly 98 kg.
Who has he been working with at his club?
He has been training a lot with Matt Brown.
What is his plan if he cannot establish himself in North America?
He said the intention is to resume time in the AHL and with the San Diego Gulls if he cannot break through immediately.
Coach Mark Comment
Adding three kilos while maintaining skating and shooting suggests Träff is trying to hit the physical threshold North American coaches value without sacrificing mobility. That balance is vital for a young forward whose game is built on pace and finishing: he needs the extra mass to handle contact but must keep the skating and shot that produce offence.
IHM Final View
Träff’s profile is straightforward: a productive Hockeyallsvenskan forward taking measurable steps for a North American chase. The rookie tournament on 5 September is the immediate test; his weight gain, extra training with Matt Brown and the willingness to mix physicality with skill will define how his transition proceeds.