Adam Reideborn and Fredrik Claesson will play in the KHL next season.
Fredrik Claesson represented the Tampa Bay Lightning organization last season. AOP / USA TODAY Sports
Swedish defender Fredrik Claesson still played last season in North America, but signed a contract with CSKA Moscow.
CSKA Moscow is known as the club of the Russian army. Claesson, 29, opened up the background of his transfer in an interview on the KHL website.
– I’ve been playing for many years, but lately I haven’t been getting enough game minutes. I want to show my talent, that’s why I came here, so I can show my best.
Russia expanded its war of aggression in Ukraine at the end of February. Since then, the country has bombarded Ukraine relentlessly, killing civilians such as children, women and the elderly.
– The decision was not politically easy, but my friends and family support me. I understand that many people were surprised by my contract. My family is in Canada at the moment, but I hope they come here as soon as possible, Claesson said.
Goalkeeper Adam Reideborn, 30, also played for CSKA Moscow last season. He decided to stay with the club for the upcoming season as well.
– I am ready to be the number one goalkeeper. I didn’t manage to do that last season.
The national team careers of Reideborn and Claesson are in danger due to playing in Russia.
– No problem. It might happen that I don’t play in the national team, but we just have to wait for the decision. I haven’t received any pressure from the union, Reideborn.
Adam Reideborn has played one World Cup in the Swedish national team. PDO
Can’t afford to cancel the contract
Swedish striker Jakob Lilja will also play next season in the KHL. Lilja signed a two-year contract with Dynamo Moscow at the beginning of February.
He told For Expressenthat he could not afford to cancel the contract.
– I didn’t have the financial opportunity to do so. It was simply more money than I have.
Lilja, 29, said that she would have liked to cancel the contract. According to him, a Swiss club had tried to buy him out of the contract. The Swedish clubs Malmö and Linköping have also tried to solve the demolition.
Lilja played in Barys Nur-Sultan last season, but according to her, the salary received there is not enough to cancel the contract.
He understands if the Swedish Ice Hockey Federation decides that players playing in Russia are not allowed to represent the national team.
Jakob Lilja represented Barys Nur-Sultan last season. EMIL HANSSON / AOP