Thuresson Exits Whale and Heads Back to Sweden

22 May 2012 | By Gerry Cantlon

Despite denying he was heading back to Sweden, Andreas Thuresson is indeed heading back to his native land to play hockey with Brynäs IF of the Swedish Elite League whom he signed a standard two-year contract for the 2012-2013 and 2013-2014 season.

Thuresson just finished his season with the AHL Connecticut Whale in 73 regular season games he had 13 goals and 21 points and 40 PM. In nine playoff games, he had one goal and three points and the lone tally was an overtime winner against the Norfolk Admirals in Game 1 of the AHL Eastern conference finals won by Norfolk in six games.

He played 25 NHL games with the Nashville Predators with just one goal and three points and played a majority of his North American career with the AHL Milwaukee Admirals.

"It will be great to be back home again. I've had five good years here in the U.S., but now felt that I wanted to return home, " said Thuresson via a Brynas press release.

"I think there will be a new start for me to come to Brynäs, and I think it could develop my game. I will try to contribute as much as I can to the team, and hopefully we will try to take a few more championships together."

Thuresson became the second member of the Whale to return home to play hockey, defenseman Pavel Valentenko inked a two year deal with the Russian team Avangard Omsk of Kontinental Hockey League (KHL) yesterday.

Seven AHL players have now signed with European teams so far and more is expected in the next month as the North American season winds down and team make roster decisions for next season with a potential labor lockout in the NHL in September when the current NHL CBA expires.