Finnish world champion defenceman Oliwer Kaski has returned to Sweden's SHL, signing a one-year contract with Malmö. The 30-year-old right-shot back joins from German DEL side Köln, where he recorded 38 points last season. Kaski previously played for HV71.
Oliwer Kaski, who won VM-guld with Finland in 2019, is back in the SHL after spending the previous season with Köln in the German DEL. Malmö announced the signing of the one-year contract with the offensively skilled defenceman. Kaski had played 60 matches for HV71 between 2023 and 2025 but missed the entire 2024/2025 season due to an injury sustained in the SHL opener away against Växjö. In Köln, he tallied 38 points—11 goals and 27 assists—in 48 games. Malmö's sportchef Oscar Alsenfelt praised the addition, stating to the club's website, “Oliwer is a player who will contribute experience. He knows what it takes to become a successful team.” Kaski expressed his excitement, saying to Malmö's site, “It feels super to sign with Malmö, and I’m very pumped to come to the city. I think the club has done a very good job in recent seasons, and it feels fun to become part of it.” He will reunite with Janne Kuokkanen, a former teammate from Charlotte Checkers in the AHL. Kaski added, “My expectations are that as a team we will compete at a high level. Personally, I want to contribute my game as much as possible to win matches. Then it will also be fun to meet Janne again. We had good chemistry in the AHL and have talked about how fun it would be to play together again.”