Malte Gustafsson has decided to remain with HV71 for the upcoming season despite interest from Rögle. The 18-year-old defenseman is expected to be selected early in the NHL Draft in Buffalo.
Gustafsson said he considered other options but trusted his instincts in staying put.
"I looked around a bit, I will not lie. Now I stayed in HV and it feels good," he told Hockeysverige. "It was the gut feeling that I went with."
The young player broke into HV71’s SHL roster last spring, earned significant ice time during the qualification series against Leksand, and helped secure the club’s league status. He later won gold with Sweden at the U18 World Championship and was named to the tournament all-star team.
Gustafsson has signed a new one-year deal with HV71. He aims to reach the NHL within two to three years.