Tag: IHM News

Ässät lose Anttalainen and Klingberg to absences

By IceHockeyMan Editorial Team | Published:

Story Summary

Ässät have suffered two further absences, with defenceman Aleksi Anttalainen and forward Carl Klingberg dropping out of the squad.

Anttalainen is expected to be unavailable for three to five weeks. He had already missed Ässät’s previous two matches and has one goal in eight Liiga appearances this season.

There is no detailed timetable yet for Klingberg. Ässät have said the length of his absence will be clarified later. Klingberg was last in the line-up against Lukko on Friday, but did not finish that match.

Key Facts

  • Defenceman Aleksi Anttalainen is expected to miss three to five weeks for Ässät.
  • Anttalainen had missed Ässät’s previous two matches before the latest absence update.
  • In eight appearances this season, Anttalainen has scored one goal.
  • Forward Carl Klingberg is also unavailable, with no timetable for his absence yet confirmed.
  • Klingberg was last in Ässät’s line-up against Lukko on Friday, but left that game before its conclusion.
  • Arttu Alasiurua and Nestor Noiva are being assessed day by day.
  • Eemeli Heinilä is expected to be out for two to four weeks, Feetu Knihti for three to five weeks and Valtteri Lipiäinen for three to four weeks.
  • Lasse Boelius and Miro Karjalainen remain out indefinitely.
  • Forward Peter Tiivola is no longer listed among Ässät’s injured players and is fit to play again.

IHM Discussion

The update adds pressure to Ässät’s available depth across both the blue line and forward group. Anttalainen’s absence removes a defenceman who has featured in eight games, while Klingberg’s status remains less clear after he was unable to complete the Lukko match.

The wider list is significant because several players have separate timelines, ranging from day-to-day assessments to absences of several weeks and two players out indefinitely. Tiivola’s return to fitness is a positive counterpoint, but it does not remove the uncertainty surrounding Klingberg or the number of players still unavailable.

Why It Matters

Ässät are managing a substantial group of unavailable players, including contributors at both defence and forward. The immediate issue is not only Anttalainen’s three-to-five-week absence, but also the lack of a confirmed timeframe for Klingberg. With several other players sidelined for weeks or without a return estimate, the club’s injury situation remains an important Liiga roster concern.

Mini Q&A

How long will Aleksi Anttalainen be out?

Ässät estimate that Anttalainen will be absent for three to five weeks.

What is known about Carl Klingberg’s absence?

Klingberg’s absence has been confirmed, but Ässät have not yet provided a timetable. The club says more detail will follow.

Which Ässät player has returned to fitness?

Forward Peter Tiivola is no longer on the injured list and has returned to playing fitness.

What Comes Next

The next formal checkpoint is Ässät’s promised clarification of Klingberg’s expected absence. The club is also continuing day-to-day monitoring of Alasiurua and Noiva.

Kiviaho shines on Graz99ers debut as stay remains open

By IceHockeyMan Editorial Team | Published:

Story Summary

Henri Kiviaho made an immediate impression for Moser Medical Graz99ers, recording a shutout against HC Innsbruck in his first appearance for the reigning champions. The 32-year-old Finnish goaltender stopped all 21 shots he faced to deliver Graz’s first shutout win of the season.

Kiviaho was signed on 29 September as cover for injured first-choice goaltender Maxime Lagace, initially through the international break at the start of November. Graz99ers hold an option to retain the former Dallas Stars draft pick until the end of the season, although no decision on an extended stay has been made.

Key Facts

  • Henri Kiviaho made his Graz99ers debut with a shutout against HC Innsbruck.
  • The Finnish goaltender stopped all 21 HC Innsbruck shots.
  • It was Graz99ers’ first shutout victory of the season.
  • Kiviaho, 32, signed on 29 September as cover for injured first-choice goaltender Maxime Lagace.
  • His initial Graz99ers deal runs until the international break, which begins on 2 November.
  • Graz99ers have an option to sign the former Dallas Stars draft pick through to the end of the season.

IHM Discussion

A shutout is an emphatic start, but Kiviaho’s own assessment pointed to the collective nature of the performance. He credited the defending in front of him for making his job easier after HC Innsbruck were limited to 21 shots.

The debut nonetheless gives Graz a positive early return from a short-term signing made to cover Lagace’s absence. Kiviaho’s situation remains deliberately open-ended: the club have a contractual option beyond the international break, rather than a confirmed longer-term arrangement.

Why It Matters

Graz99ers face a demanding run of 12 games before the international break, including two Champions Hockey League fixtures. Reliable goaltending depth is especially valuable across that volume of matches, and Kiviaho has begun his spell with a clean sheet rather than merely an appearance.

His performance does not settle the longer-term decision, but it gives Graz a clear body of work to build on during the remaining weeks of his initial deal.

Mini Q&A

How did Henri Kiviaho perform on his Graz99ers debut?

He recorded a shutout against HC Innsbruck, stopping all 21 shots he faced.

How long is Kiviaho currently signed for?

He was initially signed until the international break beginning on 2 November, with Graz99ers holding an option for the remainder of the season.

What Comes Next

Graz99ers have 12 games to play before the international break starts on 2 November. That schedule includes Champions Hockey League meetings with SaiPa Lappeenranta and Storhamar. Kiviaho’s status after the break remains undecided, with Graz holding an option to keep him for the rest of the season.

IHM NHL News: Zach Benson takes opening kick tee at Bills game

Zach Benson takes opening kick tee at Bills game

By IceHockeyMan Editorial Team | Published:

Story Summary

Zach Benson swapped the rink for Highmark Stadium on Sunday, retrieving the puck drop tee at the start of the Buffalo Bills game.

The Buffalo Sabres forward jogged on to the field to collect the tee after the opening kick, having joked beforehand that he hoped not to trip. Benson completed the task without incident, while his new mohawk also drew a compliment from Bills offensive lineman Spencer Brown.

Sabres goaltender Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen and forward Konsta Helenius joined Benson at the game. Buffalo return to hockey on Tuesday, when they host the Minnesota Wild.

Key Facts

  • Buffalo Sabres forward Zach Benson retrieved the puck drop tee at the start of the Buffalo Bills game at Highmark Stadium.
  • Benson joked before going onto the field that he hoped he would not trip; he collected the tee cleanly.
  • Benson was sporting a new mohawk, which Bills offensive lineman Spencer Brown complimented.
  • Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen and Konsta Helenius attended the game with Benson.
  • The Sabres are scheduled to host the Minnesota Wild on Tuesday at 7 p.m. ET.

IHM Discussion

It was a light-hearted off-ice moment for Benson, but one that placed a Sabres player in front of Buffalo’s wider sporting audience. The assignment itself was simple: run onto the field after the opening kick, collect the tee and clear it safely. Benson did exactly that.

The appearance also brought together three Sabres players away from the ice. Luukkonen and Helenius were present alongside Benson before the club’s next scheduled game against Minnesota.

Why It Matters

Benson’s appearance offered a small connection between the Sabres and the Bills on a game day in Buffalo. For the player, the moment was notably visible but straightforward, and he handled it as intended. The hockey focus now turns back to the Sabres’ home date with the Wild.

Mini Q&A

What did Zach Benson do at the Bills game?

Benson ran onto the field at the start of the game and retrieved the opening puck drop tee.

Which Sabres players attended with Benson?

Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen and Konsta Helenius also attended the game.

When do the Sabres play next?

The Sabres are scheduled to host the Minnesota Wild on Tuesday at 7 p.m. ET.

Coach Mark Comment

The best part of the moment was its simplicity. Benson had one clear job in an unfamiliar setting, approached it with humour and executed it cleanly. Those short public appearances can be enjoyable for players and supporters alike without needing to carry any wider hockey meaning.

What Comes Next

Buffalo’s next stated checkpoint is Tuesday’s home game against the Minnesota Wild, scheduled for 7 p.m. ET.

Banská Bystrica Forfeit Leaves Points Unchanged

By IceHockeyMan Editorial Team | Published:

Story Summary

HC 05 Banská Bystrica have had their first-round Slovak Extraliga game against Zvolen forfeited after the League Council found that the home side had not met the competition’s U20 line-up requirement.

The match has been recorded as a 5-0 forfeit victory for Zvolen. Zvolen had already won the game 5-3 on the ice, so the points in the league table will not change. The official scoreline, however, will be amended.

Banská Bystrica accepted responsibility, saying the error occurred while preparing and checking the pre-game team sheet.

Key Facts

  • The League Council ruled the Banská Bystrica-Zvolen first-round match a 5-0 forfeit in Zvolen’s favour.
  • Zvolen won the game 5-3 on the ice, meaning the league points remain unchanged despite the revised official score.
  • Banská Bystrica listed a player who did not satisfy the U20 eligibility condition in one of the two guaranteed U20 player places on its pre-game team sheet.
  • The club acknowledged that the breach was an administrative error during the preparation and checking of the team sheet.
  • All individual player statistics from the match for both teams remain valid.
  • A further breach by Banská Bystrica during the season would bring another forfeit and a three-point deduction under the competition regulations.

IHM Discussion

This is an administrative sanction rather than a reassessment of what happened on the ice. Zvolen’s 5-3 victory remains the played result for the players’ statistical records, while the competition’s official result is changed to 5-0 because Banská Bystrica failed to fulfil a mandatory squad-registration condition.

The case underlines the importance of pre-game administration in a league where teams must reserve two guaranteed places for eligible U20 skaters. Banská Bystrica’s admission removes doubt over the nature of the breach: the club accepted that the required condition had not been met and said it would introduce measures to avoid a repeat.

Why It Matters

The immediate league-table impact is limited because Zvolen had already taken the points with their 5-3 win. Even so, the revised score changes the official record of the fixture and puts Banská Bystrica on notice for the remainder of the season.

The consequences would be more severe if the club committed a similar breach again. The regulations provide not only for another forfeiture, but also for a deduction of three points.

Mini Q&A

Why was Banská Bystrica’s game forfeited?

The club used one of its two guaranteed U20 places on its pre-game team sheet for a player who did not meet the required U20 condition.

Did the decision change the points in the table?

No. Zvolen had already won 5-3 on the ice, so the points remain unchanged. The official result is instead recorded as a 5-0 forfeit win for Zvolen.

Do the players’ statistics still count?

Yes. Individual statistics for players from both teams remain valid.

Aaltonen doubts KooKoo can attract reinforcements

By IceHockeyMan Editorial Team | Published:

Story Summary

Juhamatti Aaltonen believes KooKoo may need to change head coach Jouko Myrrä as the Liiga club attempts to arrest a historic losing start.

KooKoo have lost each of their first 10 Liiga matches, equalling the league record for consecutive defeats at the beginning of a season. Aaltonen said Myrrä was likely to be behind the bench against Jukurit on Friday, but felt the club’s office would need to consider its position closely if there were no points over the weekend.

Aaltonen also questioned whether KooKoo could find substantial help in the player market. In his view, an unclear coaching situation, intense pressure for results and limited financial power would make the club a less attractive destination than teams nearer the top of the league.

Karri Kivi likewise said changes were necessary, describing KooKoo’s play as unusually disorganised and pointing to struggles in special teams as well as at both ends of the ice.

Key Facts

  • KooKoo have lost all 10 of their opening Liiga games, equalling the league record for consecutive defeats to start a season.
  • Juhamatti Aaltonen said he expected Jouko Myrrä to coach KooKoo against Jukurit on Friday, while suggesting the position could be reconsidered next week if the team do not take points over the weekend.
  • Aaltonen calculated that even an average of two points per game across KooKoo’s next 10 matches would still leave the club bottom of the Liiga table.
  • Aaltonen believes coaching uncertainty, results pressure and KooKoo’s financial position could hinder attempts to recruit a proven player.
  • KooKoo have been actively monitoring the player market.
  • Karri Kivi said KooKoo’s special teams, goals scored and goals conceded were all at the bottom of the league, and called the team’s on-ice structure deeply confused.
  • KooKoo are due to play a Champions Hockey League game in Klagenfurt, Austria, before facing Jukurit at home and HPK away in Liiga.

IHM Discussion

The immediate issue is not simply the length of KooKoo’s losing run, but the pressure it places on every possible remedy. Aaltonen’s view is that a coaching decision could become unavoidable, yet he also doubts that a change alone would make the club an easy sell to outside players.

His calculation on the next 10 games underlines the scale of the deficit as he sees it: a strong points return would not necessarily lift KooKoo from the foot of the table. That makes the coming fixtures important as immediate opportunities to alter the mood around the club, rather than as a basis for broader forecasts.

Kivi’s assessment adds a hockey-specific concern. His criticism was not limited to finishing or goaltending; he described a side struggling in special teams and in its basic organisation. Those are areas where clarity, communication and execution must improve regardless of any eventual personnel decisions.

Why It Matters

KooKoo’s 10-game losing streak has reached a league-record level for the start of a Liiga season. Aaltonen’s comments show how the poor run is now shaping discussion around both the coaching staff and the club’s ability to strengthen its squad.

If the team remain without points over the forthcoming weekend, Aaltonen believes scrutiny of Myrrä’s position could intensify. At the same time, KooKoo’s reported activity in the player market comes with the practical challenge identified by Aaltonen: persuading meaningful reinforcements to join a team under heavy pressure.

Mini Q&A

What record have KooKoo equalled?

By losing their first 10 Liiga games, KooKoo have equalled the league record for consecutive defeats at the start of a season.

What did Juhamatti Aaltonen say about Jouko Myrrä?

Aaltonen said he expected Myrrä to be behind the bench against Jukurit on Friday, but felt the club could reassess the situation next week if KooKoo do not take points over the weekend.

Why does Aaltonen doubt KooKoo can recruit a proven player?

He cited coaching uncertainty, heavy results pressure and KooKoo’s inability to compete financially with other teams.

What Comes Next

KooKoo’s next stated checkpoints are a Champions Hockey League match in Klagenfurt, followed by Liiga fixtures against Jukurit at home and HPK away. Aaltonen identified the weekend’s points return as the immediate measure that could affect discussion around the coaching position.

IHM Final View

KooKoo’s opening 10 defeats have created pressure on several fronts at once. Aaltonen sees a potential coaching decision ahead and doubts the club’s current circumstances will make recruitment straightforward, while Kivi has highlighted fundamental problems in the team’s play. The forthcoming schedule provides the next factual test of whether KooKoo can begin to change the direction of its season.

Oilers set for Narvik visit after two straight wins

By IceHockeyMan Editorial Team | Published:

Story Summary

Stavanger Oilers will welcome Narvik to DNB Arena on Thursday as they look to build on back-to-back wins following a slow start to the EliteHockey Ligaen season.

Narvik arrive in Stavanger still without a point this term and were Oilers’ quarter-final opponents last season. The visitors will be chasing their first win, while Oilers are aiming to extend their current run before a Saturday trip to CC Amfi for another meeting with Storhamar.

Juha Kaunismäki’s team have found greater order after their difficult opening to the campaign. A further three-point result against Narvik would provide a positive platform ahead of the Storhamar fixture.

Key Facts

  • Stavanger Oilers host Narvik at DNB Arena on Thursday.
  • The puck drops at 18:30, with doors opening at 16:30.
  • Narvik were Oilers’ quarter-final opponents last season.
  • Narvik have yet to collect a point this season.
  • Oilers have won their last two games after a slow start to the season.
  • Juha Kaunismäki’s side travel to CC Amfi to face Storhamar on Saturday.

IHM Discussion

The fixture presents Oilers with an immediate opportunity to continue their recovery from the early-season setback described by the club. Two straight victories have improved the mood around Kaunismäki’s group, but Narvik’s point-less start also gives the visitors a clear incentive to make the trip difficult.

There is recent knockout history between the teams through last season’s quarter-final, adding familiar context to a league meeting which matters to both sides for different reasons. Oilers are trying to sustain momentum; Narvik are looking to get their first points on the board.

The timing is also significant for Oilers. Their visit to Storhamar follows quickly on Saturday, so Thursday’s game is the first part of a compact sequence rather than an isolated home date.

Why It Matters

For Oilers, a third consecutive win would reinforce the improvement that has followed the poor start and send the team into the Storhamar trip with added confidence. For Narvik, the match is another chance to end a scoreless opening to the league campaign.

The game also brings a repeat of last season’s quarter-final pairing back to DNB Arena, giving the meeting a recent competitive reference point without changing the immediate league objective for either club.

Mini Q&A

When do Oilers play Narvik?

Oilers host Narvik at DNB Arena on Thursday, with the puck dropping at 18:30.

What is at stake for Narvik?

Narvik are still without a point this season and are seeking their first win.

Who do Oilers face after Narvik?

Oilers travel to CC Amfi for a meeting with Storhamar on Saturday.

What Comes Next

Oilers face Narvik at DNB Arena on Thursday, with puck drop scheduled for 18:30. Oilers then travel to CC Amfi to play Storhamar on Saturday.

Garpenlöv backs Kimby amid Djurgården scrutiny

By IceHockeyMan Editorial Team | Published:

Story Summary

Johan Garpenlöv has defended Djurgården head coach Robert Kimby amid mounting scrutiny over the Stockholm side’s early-season form. Djurgården are second from bottom after six rounds, having scored nine goals in six matches and been shut out twice at Globen.

Garpenlöv, who previously coached Djurgården and was dismissed in November 2023 after a difficult start to the 2023-24 season, said Kimby should not be judged after only five or six games. He believes the team have not yet performed to their capability.

The former Djurgården coach pointed particularly to the defensive group, saying the side need to improve their play from the back and their work without the puck in their own zone. At the other end of the early SHL table, newcomer Björklöven are third after five wins from six games, including a 4-0 opening victory over Djurgården.

Key Facts

  • Johan Garpenlöv said Robert Kimby should be safe in his position, arguing that dismissing a coach after five or six matches would not be professional.
  • Djurgården are second from bottom after six rounds and have scored nine goals in six games.
  • Djurgården have been shut out twice at Globen this season.
  • Garpenlöv said Djurgården have not yet played to their ability and identified play from the back and defending without the puck as areas requiring improvement.
  • Garpenlöv coached Djurgården during the 2023-24 season and was dismissed in November following a difficult start.
  • Björklöven are third after winning five of their first six matches, including a 4-0 victory over Djurgården in their opener.
  • Björklöven are due to face Brynäs away on Thursday.

IHM Discussion

Garpenlöv’s intervention places the focus on performance rather than an immediate coaching change. His assessment is not that Djurgården lack ability, but that they have yet to show it consistently in the opening six rounds.

The detail in his criticism matters. He highlighted both the ability to start attacks from the defensive end and the team’s work without possession in their own zone. Those are connected parts of a side’s game, but they are distinct demands: clean exits can create more controlled attacks, while defensive-zone structure is required before any transition can begin.

Djurgården’s return of nine goals in six games gives added context to the discussion around their start. Garpenlöv did not present a sweeping verdict after the limited sample, stressing that he had watched only some matches and did not have a deeper analysis. His central argument was instead one of patience: Kimby should be allowed to continue working with the group rather than being judged on a handful of fixtures.

Björklöven provide the clear contrast in the same early-season picture. Garpenlöv said their defensive cohesion had surpassed his expectations, and their five victories have placed the newcomers third. The 4-0 opening win over Djurgården remains their standout early result.

Why It Matters

For Djurgården, the immediate issue is that an awkward start has produced both a low league position and limited scoring. Garpenlöv’s comments frame the response around improving the team’s game rather than changing the coach.

For Björklöven, the early evidence is more encouraging. Their position near the top of the table has been built on five wins and defensive organisation that Garpenlöv did not expect to be so strong at this stage.

Mini Q&A

Why is Robert Kimby under scrutiny?

Djurgården are second from bottom after six rounds, have scored nine goals in six games and have been shut out twice at Globen.

What did Johan Garpenlöv say about Kimby’s position?

Garpenlöv said Kimby should be safe and that dismissing a coach after five or six matches would not be professional.

How have Björklöven started the season?

The newcomers are third after five wins from six matches, having opened with a 4-0 win over Djurgården.

Coach Mark Comment

Six games are too few to settle a season, but they are enough to identify areas that require immediate attention. Djurgården’s challenge is to make their defensive-zone work and first pass more dependable, because those details shape how often a team can leave its own end with control. Garpenlöv’s call for patience is strongest when it is paired with clear improvement in those repeatable parts of the game.

What Comes Next

Björklöven’s next stated fixture is an away game against Brynäs on Thursday. Djurgården’s response after six rounds will remain under close attention as Kimby continues working with the team.

IHM Final View

Garpenlöv has offered Kimby a measured defence rather than an excuse for Djurgården’s start. The team’s scoring total, league position and two home shutouts make the concern understandable, but his view is that the answer lies in raising the standard of play, not making an early change behind the bench.

Slovan’s Czech Extraliga plan enters new talks

By IceHockeyMan Editorial Team | Published:

Story Summary

Slovan’s ambition to place a team in the Czech Extraliga has moved into further discussion, but no decision has been made and the project remains at an early stage.

Jan Tůma, president of the Association of Professional Clubs, said a joint meeting did not decide on Slovan’s entry into the Extraliga. Instead, clubs agreed they need fuller material on the sporting, economic, marketing, technical and legal implications before judging whether the discussions should continue.

Slovan general manager Lukáš Havlíček has described the proposal as an expansion rather than a departure from Slovakia. He said the club would retain a team in Slovakia even if it entered the Czech competition, while referring to the Czech-based side as an “international team”.

The plan has drawn criticism from some Slovak Extraliga clubs. Havlíček said Slovan accepts its responsibilities but should not be cast as the club expected to keep the domestic league afloat or be told it cannot pursue an exit.

Any eventual move would still require substantial approval. Czech clubs would first need to approve the intention, while the Czech federation and the Slovak Ice Hockey Federation would also have to authorise a foreign team’s participation in the competition. The Slovak federation is also the governing body of the domestic Extraliga.

Key Facts

  • Jan Tůma said the Association of Professional Clubs’ meeting was not a decision on Slovan entering the Extraliga.
  • The clubs requested more detailed information on the sporting, economic, marketing, technical and legal consequences of the proposal.
  • Lukáš Havlíček said Slovan would retain a team in Slovakia if it also placed a team in the Czech Extraliga.
  • Havlíček characterised the proposal as an expansion of Slovan’s activities rather than a withdrawal from Slovak hockey.
  • Some Slovak Extraliga clubs criticised the publicly announced Czech plan.
  • Havlíček said Slovan would need to prepare a project that offers benefits to supporters, sponsors and both hockey environments.
  • Slovan says it is prepared to assemble a side with a budget at the level of Sparta or Třinec and to be competitive.
  • The proposal would need approval from Czech clubs, the Czech federation and the Slovak Ice Hockey Federation.
  • The suggested timetable is not for next season; discussion has instead pointed towards 2028/29.

IHM Discussion

This is a governance and project-building exercise rather than a completed league move. Slovan’s stated intention to maintain a Slovak team is central to its case, but the proposal must also address how it would serve Slovak hockey as well as the Czech side of the arrangement.

The requested work spans far more than a playing squad. Sporting, financial, commercial, technical and legal issues all remain open, and the relevant clubs and federations would each have a role before any participation could be authorised. Havlíček’s reference to a Sparta- or Třinec-level budget signals the scale Slovan believes would be necessary, but it does not remove those approval hurdles.

Why It Matters

The proposal could affect both the Slovak Extraliga and the Czech Extraliga, but it has not reached a stage at which a place in the competition is secured. For Slovan, the task is to make a credible case across finances, organisation and sporting value. For Slovak hockey, the central question is whether the project can demonstrate benefits beyond the club itself.

The stated aim of keeping a team in Slovakia means the debate is not solely about a club leaving its domestic environment. Even so, the criticism from some domestic clubs underlines that Slovan will need to win support rather than rely on its own plans alone.

Mini Q&A

Has Slovan been admitted to the Czech Extraliga?

No. The meeting discussed the proposal, but Jan Tůma said it was not a decision on Slovan’s entry into the Extraliga.

Would Slovan leave Slovak hockey under the proposal?

Havlíček said Slovan would retain a team in Slovakia and described the Czech plan as an expansion rather than a departure.

When could Slovan’s Czech project begin?

It is not being discussed for next season. The indicated timeframe is 2028/29, subject to the project overcoming its remaining hurdles and securing approvals.

What Comes Next

The Czech and Slovak sides are working through their respective tasks and are due to meet again to discuss how the project could be implemented. Reportedly, 2028/29, rather than next season, is the timeframe being discussed if the proposal is able to clear its remaining obstacles.

IHM Final View

Slovan has opened a serious conversation about a Czech Extraliga team, but the important outcome so far is only an agreement to examine the proposal in greater depth. The club has set out an ambitious sporting and financial vision while insisting it does not intend to abandon Slovakia. Whether that vision becomes reality will depend on the detailed project and the approvals still ahead.

Ejdsell details hand injury in Färjestad setback

By IceHockeyMan Editorial Team | Published:

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.

Rødovre seek response against Esbjerg Energy

By IceHockeyMan Editorial Team | Published:

Story Summary

Rødovre Mighty Bulls welcome Esbjerg Energy in a Metal Ligaen meeting carrying important Metal Final4 points.

Rødovre began strongly but have since suffered clear away defeats to both Esbjerg and Herlev. The return meeting with Esbjerg gives the Mighty Bulls an immediate chance to respond after the earlier loss against the same opponent.

Key Facts

  • Rødovre Mighty Bulls are set to host Esbjerg Energy in the Metal Ligaen.
  • Metal Final4 points are at stake in the game.
  • Rødovre had made a strong start before their recent dip in results.
  • The Mighty Bulls suffered clear away defeats against Esbjerg and Herlev.
  • The Esbjerg fixture is a return meeting between the sides.

IHM Discussion

The fixture places Rødovre straight back against an opponent that has already beaten them away from home. After consecutive clear road losses, the immediate priority is simply to re-establish the level that underpinned the club’s strong start.

The stakes extend beyond one result because the game also affects the Metal Final4 race. Rødovre have the benefit of home ice, but the available information does not establish how either side is likely to line up or how the match may unfold.

Why It Matters

Rødovre’s recent results have interrupted their early momentum, while Esbjerg arrive having already recorded a clear win over the Mighty Bulls. That makes this return fixture significant both as a response opportunity for Rødovre and as a Metal Final4 points game.