Noah Steen, the 21-year-old forward, has confirmed he is leaving the Swedish Hockey League club Örebro HK and will establish himself with the AHL's Syracuse Crunch next season. Steen has signed a two-year deal with the NHL's Tampa Bay Lightning, the team that drafted him as number 199 in the seventh round in the summer of 2024. He was also part of the Norwegian national team as recently as February, highlighting his rising profile in international hockey.
Steen's exit is part of a broader player exodus from Örebro, with a total of seven players departing the club. Among them is veteran goaltender Jhonas Enroth, 37, who is leaving after a stint with the team. The other players confirmed to be leaving are Niklas Nilsson, Peetro Seppälä, Juuso Vainio, Patrik Puistola, Kalle Miketinac, and Herman Liv, marking a substantial turnover in the roster as the club seeks to refresh its lineup for future campaigns.
In parallel with the player movements, Örebro is undergoing significant coaching and management changes. According to Expressen, the club is reportedly in agreement with Martin Filander to take over as new head coach, though an official announcement is pending. Filander was fired by Biel-Bienne in the winter, but now appears poised for a return to coaching in the SHL. Meanwhile, Niklas Eriksson, who has a contract for next season, is being sidelined as head coach, indicating a shift in leadership direction. On the management front, Tony Mårtensson has joined Örebro as assistant sports director to Henrik Löwdahl, adding experience to the front office as they navigate this transitional period.
To counter the departures, Örebro has been active in securing new talent and retaining key players. The club has signed Siim Liivik, Michael Haga, and Gustaf Franzén to two-year contracts, bolstering their forward and defensive lines. Additionally, Johan Wiklander and Marcus Weinstock have extended their contracts with Örebro for 1+1 years, providing stability. Luke Martin has also extended his contract, according to Expressen, though the exact terms and duration remain unspecified. Other extensions include Gustav Backström, who signed a two-year deal staying until 2024 and was appointed assistant captain this season, and Teemu Turunen, who has inked a contract for the 2026/27 season, signaling long-term planning.
Örebro is reportedly pursuing further signings to fill gaps left by departing players. According to Aftonbladet, the club has finalized a deal with Filip Larsson from Leksand as a replacement for Jhonas Enroth, though conflicting reports exist on whether the signing is already completed or still in negotiation, affecting the certainty of Örebro's roster changes. Similarly, Aftonbladet reports that Erik Norén is in agreement with Örebro to join as a replacement for Peetro Seppälä, though this has not been officially confirmed by the club, leaving some uncertainty in the defensive lineup.
This restructuring comes against the backdrop of Örebro's recent performance and historical context. Örebro HK is a professional ice hockey club based in Örebro, Sweden, competing in the top-tier Swedish Hockey League, founded in 1990 as HC Örebro 90. The club plays its home games at the 5,500-seat Behrn Arena, which opened in 1965 and was renovated in 2011, and earned promotion to the SHL by winning the 2013 Kvalserien qualification tournament. Historically, Örebro has had semifinal losses in the 2020–21 and 2022–23 seasons, but more recently, as of November 19, 2025, during the 2025–26 season, it ranks tenth in the SHL standings after 20 games with 22 points. The club was eliminated in the quarterfinals by Luleå this season, and has finished ninth or tenth in the standings and been eliminated in the quarterfinals three years in a row, underscoring a pattern of mid-table finishes and playoff disappointments. Franchise records include Henrik Löwdahl with 565 points in 571 games and Jonas Almqvist with 307 points in 281 appearances, while the club was rebranded in 2005, adopting the name Örebro HK and a new logo featuring a stylized viper, with official colors of white and red, often accented by black.
Beyond Örebro, other SHL clubs are also experiencing player movements and transfers. Herman Liv, 19, is rumored to HV71, with Expressen reporting he has an agreement with HV71 after leaving Örebro. Eddie Levin is leaving Kalmar HC and is reportedly set to play for Växjö in the SHL, according to Expressen. Kalmar HC has lost several key players and coaches, including head coach Viktor Tuurala and assistant Oliver Styf, as per multiple reports. Michael Lindqvist has an uncertain future with Leksand after relegation and is reportedly being pursued by Örebro, according to Nerikes Allehanda, though it remains unclear whether he will actually join. Patrik Puistola, who is leaving Örebro, is reportedly set for Frölunda, based on multiple reports. Pontus Johansson is predicted to leave Sweden for NHL challenges next season, according to expert Staffan Kronwall. Elias Lindgren is leaving Vimmerby Hockey and is reportedly set to join Växjö Lakers in the SHL, per Expressen. Oskar Wahlberg is not continuing with Frölunda and is reportedly set to play for MoDo next season, according to Expressen. Joel Kellman is reportedly set to leave Färjestad for Rögle, as per VF. Liam Danielsson is rumored to be linked with Timrå IK, but Örebro's sports director Henrik Löwdahl says they expect him to stay, highlighting a potential retention amid widespread speculation.
On the international and national team front, Graham Potter took Sweden to the World Cup finals and can expect a bonus of several million kronor, according to Aftonbladet, though the specific details of the bonus remain unspecified. This achievement adds to the broader narrative of Swedish hockey success, even as clubs like Örebro navigate domestic challenges.
Uncertainties persist regarding key Örebro personnel decisions. Whether Martin Filander will officially become the new head coach of Örebro HK remains to be seen, as it is only reported as an agreement without formal confirmation. Similarly, the exact terms and duration of Luke Martin's contract extension with Örebro HK are unclear, as it is only reported as an extension without disclosed specifics, leaving fans and analysts awaiting further details.
Remaining unknowns in Swedish hockey transfers include where Rasmus Rissanen will play next season after reportedly leaving Linköping, according to Aftonbladet, with no confirmed destination yet. Additionally, the pursuit of Michael Lindqvist by Örebro, as reported by Nerikes Allehanda, leaves his future uncertain, as it is not confirmed whether he will join the club. These gaps in information reflect the fluid nature of offseason movements in the SHL, where rumors and agreements often precede official announcements.