The signing marks a poignant homecoming for Herman Liv, who is the son of Stefan Liv. According to SVT Sport, Herman Liv described the move as something he has dreamed about his whole life and strived for a long time, coming home to the family and HV71. Stefan Liv's jersey number 1 was retired by HV71 after his death, but the board has approved that Herman Liv can take it out of retirement if he chooses.
Whether Herman Liv will wear his father's retired number 1 jersey or a different number remains undecided, though he told SVT Sport that it is a bit difficult since he has played with number 1 his whole life, but he has started thinking a little about 80. Herman Liv most recently played a season in HockeyAllsvenskan with Almtuna, on loan from Örebro, and won JVM gold with the Swedish junior national team last winter. He joins an HV71 team that had to qualify to stay in the SHL for the third consecutive year.
It feels incredibly good. Something I have dreamed about my whole life.
The specific terms or salary details of Herman Liv's two-year contract with HV71 have not been disclosed. What role or position Herman Liv is expected to play for HV71 in the upcoming season is not yet clear.
It is something I have strived for a long time, to come home to the family and HV71.
It is a bit difficult. The number 1 I have played with my whole life so changing would be different. But I have started thinking a little about 80.
It has been tough, absolutely. But we have so many incredible fans and it is an incredible hockey city so it will turn around.