Before SHL - Eurohockey presents Linköping

05 Sep 2015Marcus Vilson»

The start of 2015/16 SHL season is closing in and for upcoming season, there will be 14 teams competing for the trophy Le Mat. Reigning champions are Växjö Lakers. For the next 14 days, Eurohockey is presenting one team each day. In Part 5. we meet Linköping HC.

Last season, Linköping were one of the top four teams, but were knocked out the playoffs by Skellefteå AIK in game 5. For the third straight year, they were eliminated by the Northern team, so count on that Linköping is filled with revenge to pass the semifinal round this year.

Linköping have lost a couple players that had a significant role in the team last season, but they seems to have replaced these spots good. In the preseason and in CHL, Linköping have shown that they have a strong team this year.

Players that left the team from Östergötland County in Sweden is Jeff Taffe and Jakob Micflikier. Players that have replaced these sharp-shooters is Andrew Gordon, Garrett Roe and Rhett Rakhshani. But the recruitment that's been most highlighted, is Niklas Persson who have returned back to the organisation after been playing for Rapperswil in the Swiss league.

-"It feels like coming home. I wanted to come here and this was our first choice. We still have our house here in Linköping and we thrives it here," Niklas said in an interview with SHL.se.

Linköping have won 5 of 6 preseason games and and have a +/- of +13 (18-5), which makes them in top of the preseason table. In CHL, Linköping have managed to qualify for Round 2 as they won Group A, though one game remains.

Opening game for Linköping in the 2015/16 SHL edition, will be against Djurgårdens IF on September 16th in SAAB Arena, Linköping, Sweden.