While the NHL and AHL seasons are on pause, players are not waiting to make their next moves. On Sunday afternoon, it was announced that Rockford IceHogs forward Jacob Nilsson will be heading back to play in his home country of Sweden on a two-year contract with Färjestad BK in the SHL. Nilsson spent the last two seasons with the IceHogs after playing the previous three season with Mora IK.
Nilsson leaving IceHogs, heads back to Sweden
Nilsson played for Mora IK under head coach Jeremy Colliton from 2015–17 in the Allsvenskan league. After helping Mora earn promotion to the SHL for the 2017–18 season, Nilsson came overseas to join the Chicago Blackhawks’ organization and be rejoined with Colliton with the IceHogs.
Jacob Nilsson skates during a Rockford IceHogs game. (Photograph courtesy of the Rockford IceHogs)
In his first season with the IceHogs, Nilsson skated in 61 games and tallied 32 points and was named the team MVP for the season. He also skated in his only two NHL games during the 2018–19 season with the Blackhawks. This past season, Nilsson skated in 62 games with the IceHogs, tallying 21 points and serving as an alternate captain.
The 26-year-old said in a statement he is looking forward to being part of a top team in the SHL. Färjestad BK finished first in the SHL in 2018–19 and second in the 2019–20 regular seasons. He also hopes to rejoin the Swedish national team program. Nilsson will be reunited with former IceHogs teammate Victor Ejdsell with Färjestad BK after Ejdsell left Rockford following the 2018–19 season.