Utah HC prospect leaves the NHL to play hockey in Sweden

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River Hawk
September 15, 2024 (10:17 PM)

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After only appearing in 53 games in the league, Utah HC prospect Victor Soderstrom is leaving the NHL to return to playing hockey in Sweden.

Victor Soderstrom was one of the most promising defensemen from 2019's NHL prospect pool. By the time he was available for the draft, he played in 44 games with Sweden's Brynas IF Gavle, in which he scored 4 goals and earned 7 total points and 22 penalty minutes. It was after this he was drafted 11th overall by the Arizona Coyotes, announced by then assistant GM and Scouting Director Lindsay Hofford.

"The Arizona Coyotes are proud to select from Brynas in the Swedish Hockey League, Victor Soderstrom."

Despite being picked so early in the 2019 NHL Entry Draft, Victor Soderstrom has hardly had a chance to make a name for himself in the league while surrounded by seemingly endless defensemen. During his tenure with the Arizona Coyotes, he has only appeared in 53 games, having only one goal and eleven total points to his name.

He has instead honed his skills for the last four years with their AHL affiliate, the Tuscon Roadrunners. Moreover, with the franchise's shift into the Utah Hockey Club, he was given no indication he would have a major role on the team. Having entered restricted free agency, the 23-year-old defenseman has signed a two-year deal with his old team Brynas of the Swedish Hockey League.

"With the recent drafts of Arizona and Utah, the organization has stocked up on defensemen. It was getting harder and harder to see Victor Soderstrom make it into the lineup. In four seasons in the Arizona organization, Soderstrom played only 53 games in the NHL. Today, we learn that he is leaving North America to return home to Sweden. The 23-year-old defenseman was a restricted free agent this summer. Instead, he signed a two-year contract with Brynas in the SHL, a professional league in Sweden."

Victor Soderstrom last played for Brynas IF in the 2019-2020 season, recording 5 goals and 11 assists in 35 games. With his home team welcoming him with open arms, there is little doubt he will have a better chance become a major player on a professional team. Whether or not this will give him a resume that will allow him a big role somewhere in the NHL is another story entirely.

Source: Daily Faceoff
Utah HC defense prospect Victor Söderström signs two-year deal with Brynäs IF