Swedish Hockey League club HV71 faces a potential loss of young forward Hugo Pettersson, with reports indicating he will join rivals Malmö Redhawks next season. The 20-year-old has impressed this year despite limited play. Pettersson, however, denies having signed anywhere.
HV71 suffered a narrow defeat to Malmö Redhawks on Saturday, rallying from a 2-0 deficit to earn a point before losing 3-2 in overtime. The match highlighted the intensity of the SHL bottom battle, but off-ice news overshadowed the result.
Following the game, Expressen reported that Hugo Pettersson, a 20-year-old forward from Tranås, is set to move to Malmö for the upcoming season. Pettersson, known for his power-play shooting, has an expiring contract with HV71. This season, he was loaned to AIK in the Allsvenskan for two weeks around the September-October shift, where he scored four goals and added one assist in just six matches.
Returning to an injury-plagued HV71 squad, Pettersson has contributed seven goals and three assists in 22 SHL appearances, totaling 10 points. His performances have drawn interest from other clubs.
When asked about offers, Pettersson told Expressen: "I have had some offers from other teams, and some I've felt more for, but I haven't signed with anyone."
Regarding the specific rumor of an agreement with Malmö, he responded: "Oh? Then you know more than I do. I haven't signed anywhere."
The reports remain unconfirmed, leaving Pettersson's future uncertain as HV71 navigates a challenging season.
