Multiple reports indicate Joel Persson set a new personal best in the SHL at 32 years old. However, he missed a match due to a collision with a referee, according to major media sources. The exact nature and severity of his injury from the collision remains unclear, and it is unknown how long he was expected to be out.
According to Hockeysverige, Persson described the incident, noting he got hit and fell, but said it should be okay now, and he focused too much on the referee's movement. The impact of his absence on Växjö's performance in the match he missed has not been detailed. Christopher Heino-Lindberg said Joel Persson should be in the best form of his life.
Joel Persson praised teammate Lucas Elvenes, noting he has had a fantastic season and is extremely skilled. According to Hockeysverige, Persson described his mindset, saying he doesn't really believe in that kind of thing, but when you find something going well, it's easy to keep going. The specific details of the changes Persson made to his game that led to his improved form are not specified.
In a coaching change for Växjö, Björn Hellkvist has replaced Jörgen Jönsson as head coach, major media sources report. Whether Joel Persson will play in the next match against Skellefteå is uncertain. According to Hockeysverige, Persson described his recovery, saying it feels okay, but noted a difference between match and training situations.