Leksand lost six players in the NHL.
Now they are choosing Kalle Östman – who recently signed for hockeyallsvenska Västerås IK.
– This is how the hockey world is organized and here we are in the hierarchy, says VIK Sports Director Patrick Zetterberg.
On June 3, Västerås IK contracted with Kalle Östman Center. Now he is leaving the club for matches in SHL and Leksands IF.
This is how Västerås IK begins its press release.
We need to progress through the chain system so that we don’t end up in this situation over and over again. Then it is partly the same for SHL and Leksand clubs who in this case get rid of two of their players in the NHL. But SHL clubs have more portfolios and opportunities to hire replacements, and this is the league we need to be in, says sporting director Patrick Zetterberg.
Kicked out by Malmo
Huge loss for Västerås as Östman was an intended top position.
The 28-year-old Ostmann was fired by Malmö with one year on contract, but is now continuing in the SHL. The contract is written over a period of three years.
– Callie is an incredibly cool character. He has a keen sense of play, he’s a good skater and a skilled passer, Thomas Johansson, Lexand’s general manager, tells the team’s website.
– It feels great to be back after a few years in other places. I’ve been sitting in the stands since I was little watching Leksand and dreaming of being able to play here, says Ostmann who originally came from Borlänge and previously played for Leksand as a rookie.
Lost National Hockey League players
Six Leksand players have signed NHL contracts. The latest deal is the new acquisition Filip Cederqvist, who brought it back to the Buffalo Sabers yesterday.
Calle Själin (Florida Panthers), Max Veronneau (San Jose Sharks), Emil Heineman (Montreal Canadiens), Isak Rosén (Buffalo Sabers), and Nils man (Vancouver Canucks) have signed NHL contracts for next season.
The text has been updated.
