HIFK signs Swedish goalie Tim Juel for 2026-27 season

Helsinki-based ice hockey club HIFK has secured the services of Swedish goaltender Tim Juel on a contract spanning the 2026–2027 league season. The 31-year-old netminder makes the move to Helsinki from the Swedish Hockey League (SHL) club Timrå IK, where he spent the last three seasons.

Juel's arrival reunites him with HIFK's head coach, Olli Jokinen, who previously coached Juel during the 2024–2025 season at Timrå. HIFK's goaltending coach, Riku Helenius, expressed confidence in the new signing, highlighting Juel's fierce competitiveness as his greatest strength. "Tim is an extremely tough competitor. That is definitely his greatest strength and the trait with which he has made a name for himself in Sweden," Helenius stated on the club's website.

Juel brings international experience, having represented Sweden in two senior national team games. He was also recognized as the SHL's best goaltender for the 2024–2025 season. At HIFK, Juel will join fellow goaltenders Hugo Alnefelt, also from Sweden, and Rastislav Elias from Slovakia. Helenius indicated that Juel and Alnefelt are expected to compete for the primary goaltending duties, while Elias will likely be loaned out or seek playing time elsewhere to develop.

Juel's transfer signifies HIFK's commitment to strengthening its roster for the upcoming seasons. His past accolades and familiarity with the coaching staff are expected to provide a solid foundation for the team's performance in the competitive Finnish league.

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Tim on äärettömän kova kilpailija. Se on ehdottomasti hänen suurin vahvuutensa ja piirre, jolla hän on itsensä Ruotsissa lyönyt läpi