Tag: Linus Söderström

Linus Söderström sidelined indefinitely by setback

By IceHockeyMan Editorial Team | Published:

Story Summary

Linus Söderström is out indefinitely after a setback in his rehabilitation, leaving Skellefteå without a timetable for the goalkeeper’s return.

Söderström had hoped to make his comeback during October after undergoing surgery in the summer for the second consecutive year. He had returned to team training a few weeks ago, but has not been on the ice recently.

Skellefteå team doctor Karin Granberg said the club is further assessing the setback in order to establish an appropriate rehabilitation plan and, above all, a prognosis. Sporting director Erik Forssell said there is currently no timetable for Söderström’s return and that Skellefteå have no plans to recruit another goalkeeper.

Key Facts

  • Linus Söderström is unavailable for an indefinite period following a setback in his rehabilitation.
  • Söderström underwent surgery in the summer for the second year in succession.
  • He had resumed team training with Skellefteå a few weeks ago before his recent absence from the ice.
  • Team doctor Karin Granberg said further assessment is under way to shape Söderström’s rehabilitation plan and establish a prognosis.
  • Sporting director Erik Forssell said Skellefteå have no timetable for Söderström’s return and no current plan to sign another goalkeeper.
  • Söderström returned in February last season and played five regular-season matches before helping Skellefteå to the Swedish title.
  • He has won three Swedish championships, including Skellefteå titles in 2024 and 2026, as well as the 2024 Stefan Liv Memorial Trophy and the 2023 Honken Trophy.

IHM Discussion

The important change is not simply that Söderström remains unavailable, but that the earlier October comeback target has given way to an open-ended medical assessment. Skellefteå had seen him back in team training, which made his absence from the ice notable; Granberg’s comments now make clear that the club is still working to understand the setback before setting a route back.

That distinction matters. An injured player working towards a known return window allows a club to plan around a date. An indefinite absence does not. Forssell’s statement that there is no current plan to bring in another goalkeeper establishes the club’s immediate position, while leaving the medical prognosis as the central unresolved issue.

Söderström’s recent history also explains the significance of the update. His previous return did not arrive until February, after which he played only five regular-season games before contributing to Skellefteå’s run to the title. His record includes three Swedish championships and major individual recognition as the 2023 SHL goalkeeper of the year and the 2024 play-off MVP.

Why It Matters

Söderström is not an untested returnee. His awards and his role in Skellefteå’s championship successes show the level of goalkeeper the club is waiting to recover. The setback therefore removes a proven option from consideration for an unknown period rather than merely delaying a planned October appearance.

The immediate hockey consequence is uncertainty rather than a confirmed long-term roster move. Skellefteå have stated that they are not currently looking to add a goalkeeper, so the next meaningful development will be medical: whether the ongoing assessment produces a prognosis and a workable rehabilitation timetable.

Mini Q&A

What is the latest on Linus Söderström?

Linus Söderström has suffered a rehabilitation setback and is out indefinitely, with no timetable for a return to play.

Was Söderström close to returning for Skellefteå?

He had returned to team training a few weeks ago and had hoped to play during October, but he has not recently been on the ice.

Will Skellefteå sign another goalkeeper?

Sporting director Erik Forssell said Skellefteå have no current plan to recruit another goalkeeper.

What will determine Söderström’s next update?

Further medical assessment is under way to establish a rehabilitation plan and a prognosis.

What Comes Next

Granberg and Skellefteå’s medical staff are continuing to assess Söderström’s setback in order to form a rehabilitation plan and provide a prognosis. Until that assessment is complete, the club has given no return date.

IHM Final View

Skellefteå’s position is clear: Linus Söderström is out indefinitely, the medical picture is still being clarified and no replacement signing is currently planned. His achievements make the wait consequential, but the only firm next step is the assessment needed to determine his rehabilitation path.

Linus Söderström hopes for October return to Skellefteå

By IceHockeyMan Editorial Team | Published:

Story Summary

Skellefteå goaltender Linus Söderström missed the opening of the 2026/27 SHL season as he continues rehabilitation after surgery on his other foot. The 30-year-old began skating a few weeks ago and is rebuilding step by step, avoiding firm return dates. Söderström said he elected to have the operation earlier in the hope of an earlier comeback and that the procedure was similar to last year’s, though on the opposite foot. He is taking the process week by week and said he hopes he may be able to play sometime in October. Last season, Söderström returned only in February, played five regular-season games and was part of Skellefteå’s run to an SM-guld.

Key Facts

  • Linus Söderström is 30 years old and is identified as Skellefteå’s star goaltender.
  • Söderström missed the start of the 2026/27 SHL season; this is the second year in a row he has missed the opening of the campaign.
  • He has undergone a surgical procedure similar to last year’s operation, but on his other foot this time.
  • Söderström began skating again a few weeks before speaking to TV4 and is working to reintegrate on-ice movements.
  • He said he chose to have the operation earlier this year in the hope of an earlier return and that he ” wanted to get it done” as soon as possible.
  • Last season he did not return to the ice until February, played five regular-season games and was part of Skellefteå’s Swedish Championship gold (SM-guld) later in the spring.
  • Söderström has won three SM-guld in his career: 2017, 2024 and 2026.
  • On his timetable for this season, Söderström said he prefers to take the rehab week by week and suggested he ” maybe can play sometime in October,” while stressing he dislikes setting fixed dates.

IHM Discussion

Söderström’s comments underline a cautious, process-driven approach to recovery. He contrasts this year’s decision to operate earlier with a rehabilitation attempt last summer that did not go well, saying he did not hesitate when a similar situation arose. His focus is on movement patterns in the operated area and on avoiding the pressure of committing to calendar dates. That approach reflects last season’s delayed return, when he resumed in February and played five regular-season games before contributing to Skellefteå’s title success. The earlier operation may give him a better chance of returning sooner, but his own language puts prudence ahead of speed.

Why It Matters

Söderström is a Skellefteå star and a proven playoff performer. A fully fit return in October would give the reigning champions another experienced option in goal, while a longer absence would require them to continue without one of their three-time Swedish champions. His preference for movement quality over preset return dates points to a recovery process built around readiness rather than a rushed comeback.

Mini Q&A

Why is Linus Söderström missing the start of the SHL season?

He is rehabbing after undergoing surgery on the other foot; it is a similar type of procedure to last year’s operation but performed on the opposite foot.

When did he begin on-ice work?

Söderström said he began skating a few weeks ago and is working his way back on the ice.

Has he had this kind of operation before?

Yes; he had a comparable operation last year and this year’s procedure is similar in many ways, though on the other foot.

What is his expected return timetable?

He is avoiding fixed dates but said he is taking rehabilitation week by week and hopes he ” maybe can play sometime in October.”

How did last season’s comeback go?

Last season he did not return until February, played five regular-season games and was part of Skellefteå’s eventual SM-guld that spring.

How many Swedish Championship golds has Söderström won?

He has won three SM-guld in his career: 2017, 2024 and 2026.

What Comes Next

Söderström is progressing week by week in his rehabilitation and said he hopes he may be able to play sometime in October. October is a possibility, not a fixed return date.

IHM Final View

Linus Söderström has undergone surgery on his other foot, resumed skating and is rebuilding carefully. After returning late last season and helping Skellefteå secure an SM-guld, an earlier comeback would be welcome, but he has been clear that he will not force a timetable. An October return remains possible, not guaranteed.