Sask. hockey player continues career in Sweden

Jayden Halbgewachs is back in Sweden for another season of hockey overseas.

The 26-year-old Emerald Park product is playing with Frölunda HC in the Swedish Hockey League.

“I was looking at an opportunity in North America, so I went to Carolina on a PTO to start the season … Things didn’t work out there, so I continued to look at different options,” Halbgewachs said.

“I played in Sweden last year, so I thought Sweden would be a good fit. The longer I sat at home, I was looking for a good opportunity and they made the offer and away I went.

“I knew this was a good city and a good team to play for, so I jumped on the opportunity and signed the contract and flew out three days later.”

It isn’t a completely new experience for Halbgewachs, who played last season with the Växjö Lakers, who won the league title.

“It’s a lot different just going somewhere where English isn’t the first language. That was the biggest thing. Luckily, we had four other North Americans there, so the room last year was English,” Halbgewachs said.

READ MORE:

• 13-year-old getting chance to play with Pat Canadians
• ‘I can’t believe it’: MJHL goal call goes viral
• Two Blades, two Warriors make Canada’s world junior team

“Living was different. Everything is a little older, and not modern like you see back in Regina and in Canada in general. That was very different. Just little things like that – going to the grocery store and everything is in different writing and you just kind of manoeuvre your way around things.

“This year I’m the only North American on the team, so our room is in Swedish, so I don’t really understand much that is going on, so I need to get it explained to me on the side, which is different than my experience last year.”

Before he joined his new club, he was welcomed in a unique way – a video was posted to social media of his new teammates trying to pronounce his last name.

Välkommen, Jayden ”Hallbegewax”. pic.twitter.com/47RZSoZgqK

— Frölunda HC (@frolunda_hc) November 22, 2023

“It was obviously pretty funny. I think I couldn’t say a lot of their last names for sure, so for them to try it, I think, it was a good opener and cool to see before I even left Canada. It was pretty funny. Still, most of them probably can’t say it. It’s a tough last name,” Halbgewachs said.

Halbgewachs starred with the WHL’s Moose Jaw Warriors for four seasons, recording 129 points in 2017-18, which led the entire CHL. He managed 70 goals that season, the first time a WHL player reached that mark since Pavel Brendl during the 1998–99 season.

Halbgewachs was undrafted, and signed an entry-level deal with the San Jose Sharks in 2017.

“You have to put in extra work and climb your way up. Over my years in the AHL, I got better and better each year and got my opportunity, and I think I took advantage of my opportunity,” Halbgewachs said.

After four seasons playing primarily in the AHL with the San Jose Barracuda, he eventually suited up for the Sharks for three games in the 2021-22 season, recording one assist.

“I think it’s the coolest thing that I have ever done. To play that first game was pretty special. Unfortunately, it was during that COVID year, so I didn’t get family and friends to come down and see it, but it was a dream come true and something I always wanted to do and my goal,” Halbgewachs said.

“I wish I was there still to this day, but the experience I had was unforgettable, for sure.”

After that season he became an unrestricted free agent, but he didn’t think the offers he got to stay in North America would have benefited him enough to stay.

“It got into early September and just talking with my agent and everything, he felt that Sweden would be the next best league to go and play in. I was unsure at first, but I had a couple of ex-teammates playing on the team and just talked to them and they said good things about it,” Halbgewachs said. “I took a leap of faith going over here. I didn’t think I was going to end up in Europe as early as I did, but it worked out.

“It’s all an experience, and that’s one of the benefits of playing hockey. I’ve got to see places all over the world that I wouldn’t have gotten to see if I didn’t play.”

As a member of the Lakers last season, he scored 10 goals and 10 assists in 52 games. With Frölunda this season he has three goals and one assist in five games.

“The goal is always to play in the NHL and I was in San Jose for four years and gave it my best shot there. I obviously wanted to try going back again, and it just didn’t work out. Coming over here has a lot of perks – it’s a different style of game, it’s less games in a season and more relaxed on the body, and you get to experience a different part of the world and see new things,” Halbgewachs said.

He said he initially thought the larger ice surface would fit a player of his style, but that wasn’t exactly the case.

“As a small, speedy forward I thought it was going to be beneficial, but it’s very defensive here and very tight,” he said.

“You do have some time on the outside, but to get to the net and to get to the scoring areas isn’t easy. I’d say it’s probably one of the toughest leagues to play in, but guys work really hard here and it’s a different game and you really need to adapt to it. I think with having last year under my belt, I think this year will be more beneficial.”

For now, Halbgewachs is enjoying his hockey career in Sweden and isn’t sure where it could take him next.

“I think it’s just kind of year-by-year right now. Obviously, once I find somewhere I love, maybe I will settle down and sign a long-term deal, but for now I’m just trying out new places and find out what works best for me,” Halbgewachs said.

“I would like to experience more places if I get the opportunity to, and if it’s back in North America or it’s in Switzerland or wherever, (it’s) wherever the best opportunity comes up. And I’d like to play somewhere I am going to enjoy as well.”