Canadian forward Brett Stapley has left Södertälje SK after a disappointing start to the season in HockeyAllsvenskan. The 26-year-old is set to join Pelicans in Finland's Liiga, where he will bolster their offense for the second half of the campaign. SSK confirmed the departure, wishing him well in his future endeavors.
Brett Stapley, a 26-year-old Canadian center, has parted ways with Södertälje SK following a challenging beginning to the season. Signed to SSK ahead of the campaign after a productive stint with Dukla Trencin in Slovakia, Stapley struggled to replicate his form in HockeyAllsvenskan. In 13 matches, he recorded six points, consisting of one goal and five assists, occasionally showing flashes of skill but failing to fully integrate into the team's play.
SSK's sportchef Emil Georgsson had previously indicated that transatlantic imports, including Stapley and Mitch Lewandowski, were no longer part of the club's plans. The move aims to free up budget for reinforcements as SSK seeks to reshape its squad. On Tuesday, the club made the separation official via social media, stating: “Vi tackar Brett för tiden i SSK och önskar honom lycka till i sin fortsatta karriär.”
According to reports, Stapley has agreed to terms with Pelicans in Finland's top Liiga division. The deal is expected to be announced shortly, positioning the forward to strengthen Pelicans' offensive lineup midway through the season. This transfer marks a significant shift for Stapley, who now heads abroad after high expectations upon joining SSK.