Goaltender Hugo Alnefelt, on loan from HV71, will remain with HIFK in the Finnish league through the end of the season. The clubs reached an agreement on the extension, as announced by HV71. HIFK coach Olli Jokinen praised Alnefelt's recent performances amid the team's challenging start.
HIFK, struggling early in the Finnish league season, turned to HV71 for goaltending help due to their own issues in net. Hugo Alnefelt, deemed surplus in Jönköping, joined the Helsinki club in mid-October without having played any games that fall. After sitting on the bench for two matches, he debuted on October 22 against HPK, a game that turned tough as HIFK lost 6-2 at home. Alnefelt allowed five goals on 16 shots before being pulled midway through the contest.
However, Alnefelt has shown marked improvement since then. In his last five starts, he posted a 91.4 save percentage, including a shutout in Saturday's 3-0 home win over league-leading Ässät. Overall, through six appearances, his save percentage stands at 88.9. These efforts convinced HIFK to extend his stay for the full season, a decision confirmed by both clubs on the day of the announcement.
HIFK head coach Olli Jokinen, formerly of Timrå, commended the young goaltender. "Hugo har, som väntat, kontinuerligt förbättrat sina färdigheter efter att ha förlorat matcher. Speciellt under de senaste matcherna har han gett laget en chans att kämpa om poäng i ligan," Jokinen said on HIFK's website. He added about the recent shutout, "Lördagen kommer säkerligen att ge mer självförtroende till Hugo, men också till hela laget."
HV71 assistant general manager Fredrik Stillman noted the arrangement benefits all parties. "IFK Helsingfors hade en option på lånet av Hugo Alnefelt som nu inte aktiveras. Det gör att Hugo spelar i IFK resten av säsongen och vi har hittat en lösning som är bra för alla parter," Stillman stated on HV71's site. HIFK sits last in the standings after 20 games, but Alnefelt's stability could provide a boost.