Story Summary
Ejdsell has outlined the hand injury that is expected to keep him out for up to six weeks after Färjestad confirmed the absence.
The 31-year-old forward, who returned to the club this season, left a match against Djurgården last week during the third period. The incident was not immediately apparent from the play, but Ejdsell has since explained that his hand was caught as he attempted to check a Djurgården defenceman.
“I was going to check Djurgården’s defenceman and my hand got caught between the boards and was squeezed the wrong way,”Ejdsell said. “I crushed it. That can happen.”
He added that there was initial concern over the scaphoid bone, but that it appears to have avoided serious damage. Ejdsell described that outcome as a relief and said it could have been worse.
His right forearm is in a cast, while he has begun using a stationary bike during the early part of his recovery. Färjestad are now managing without Ejdsell and another leading player, who is sidelined until December with a foot injury.
Key Facts
- Ejdsell, 31, is expected to be absent for up to six weeks after suffering a hand injury.
- The forward left a match against Djurgården during the third period last week.
- Ejdsell said his hand was trapped between the boards while he was attempting to check a Djurgården defenceman.
- There was initial concern over Ejdsell’s scaphoid bone, but he said it appears to have come through the incident well.
- Ejdsell’s right forearm is in a cast and he has started using a stationary bike.
- Färjestad won their first match without Ejdsell and the foot-injured player, beating their visitors 3-1 at a full Löfbergs Arena.
- A dual-registered player scored his first SHL goal in that 3-1 home victory.
IHM Discussion
The immediate concern for Färjestad is the length of the absence rather than uncertainty over what happened. Ejdsell has provided a clear account of a board-side incident that was not obvious at the time, while his comments on the scaphoid suggest the club avoided one of the more worrying possibilities considered after the injury.
A six-week maximum absence removes an experienced forward from the group shortly after his return to Färjestad. The timing is compounded by the separate foot injury that has ruled out another of the club’s leading players until December. Färjestad therefore have two significant absences to manage over an extended spell, even though their first match without both players ended in a home win.
The 3-1 result does not erase the challenge created by the injuries, but it did provide an early positive contribution from a dual-registered player, who scored his first SHL goal. That is a concrete indication of how opportunities can open elsewhere in the squad when established players are unavailable.
Why It Matters
Ejdsell’s update gives Färjestad a clearer picture of the injury after a departure from the Djurgården game that initially offered little visible explanation. His own account also narrows the focus to a hand injury and a stated absence of up to six weeks, rather than the more serious scaphoid concern that was initially feared.
For the club, the absence sits alongside an existing foot-injury lay-off lasting until December. The 3-1 home victory showed that Färjestad can still find contributions in the short term, but the loss of two leading players remains a material issue across the coming weeks.
Mini Q&A
How did Ejdsell injure his hand?
Ejdsell said his hand became caught between the boards while he was attempting to check a Djurgården defenceman.
How long is Ejdsell expected to be out?
Färjestad stated that Ejdsell could be absent for up to six weeks.
What did Färjestad do in their first game without Ejdsell?
Färjestad won 3-1 at home in a full Löfbergs Arena, with a dual-registered player scoring his first SHL goal.
Coach Mark Comment
Losing an experienced forward for up to six weeks changes more than one line. It affects special-teams options, matchups and the way minutes are distributed through the group. The important part for Färjestad is not trying to replace Ejdsell with one player, but finding the lost contribution collectively.
The first win without him is encouraging, especially with younger or dual-registered players getting opportunities, but one result does not solve the longer-term problem. Over several weeks, the coaching staff will need consistency from the players moving into larger roles and enough flexibility to adjust combinations as the schedule develops.
From Ejdsell’s side, the positive news is that the more serious concern around the scaphoid appears to have been avoided. The priority now is a controlled recovery and returning only when the hand can handle full hockey contact again.
IHM Final View
Ejdsell has put a straightforward explanation to an injury that was initially difficult to read from the game itself. The prospect of up to six weeks out is a setback for Färjestad, particularly with another leading player already unavailable until December, but the apparent avoidance of a serious scaphoid injury offers an important measure of relief.