Steve Richmond, the Washington Capitals’ Director of Player Development, praised highly of several of the team’s prospects during this year’s development camp, including Axel Jonsson Fjällby.
According to Richmond, the 21-year-old forward is close to being NHL ready and could see some action next season.
“I think he’s close,” Richmond said to the media on day three of camp. “He’s played against men for the last two years. Last two years in the playoffs, he was probably their best player on Djurgarden. This year, he went to Game [Six] of the Finals and he was their best player. I think he’s close. He’s got the speed. He’s got sneaky skill. He works hard. He’s going to work hard obviously the next two months.”
Goalie Hugo Alnefelt was selected 71st overall by the Tampa Bay Lightning in the year’s NHL Draft in Vancouver, BC.
Entering the draft, Alnefelt was ranked second among European goalies by the NHL Central Scouting Combine. The 6-foot-3 Danderyd, SWE native spent this past season in net for HV71 U20, recording a 2.59 GAA and a .905 SVS%. Alnefelt also participated in the 2019 IIHF U18 World Championships, ending the tournament with a 2.75 GAA, .921 SVS% and one shutout in five games played.
Jake Newton has been all over the map, playing in America, Italy, Czech Republic, Germany, and, most recently, Finland. Now, the 30-year-old defenseman is making his way to Sweden.
Newton, who has played in almost 100 AHL games, has signed a one-year contract with IK Oskarshamn of the SHL.
”I’m very excited and thankful for the opportunity to to be able to play in Oskarshamn,” said Newton in an interview posted on the team’s official website. ”I have three past teammates who have played in IKO and have only had good things to say about the fans and the city.”
After spending his entire playing career within the Brynäs organization, Simon Bertilsson has decided to leave Sweden and the SHL to take his talents elsewhere — Russia.
The 28-year-old defenseman has signed a one-year contract with HK Sochi of the KHL.
This past season, Bertilsson served as an assistant captain for Brynäs and recorded 18 points (three goals, 15 assists) in 52 games played.
As of today, Axel Jonsson Fjällby has officially been re-assigned to the Hershey Bears of the AHL. The announcement was made by Washington Capitals senior vice president and general manager Brian MacLellan.
Fjällby played a total of 16 games with Hershey earlier this season, recording three points (two goals, one assist). He scored his first AHL goal in the club’s victory over Wilkes-Barre/Scranton on Oct. 17.
The 21-year-old Stockholm, Sweden native was loaned to Djurgården IF of the SHL on Nov. 16. There, Fjällby recorded 10 points (one goal, nine assists) in 36 games during the regular season. During the playoffs he racked up 12 points in 19 games, tying for first on the team in postseason goals with seven. Fjällby helped Djurgården to the SHL Finals, where they fell to Frölunda HC in game six of the series.
Hugo Alnefelt, Alex Brännstam, and Zion Nybeck can now call themselves champions after winning gold with Sweden at the U18 World Championships in
Nybeck recorded two goals and three assists, while Brännstam had one assist. Alnefelt stood in goal for five games and ended the tournament with a .921 SVS% and a GAA of 2.75.
