Thomas Grégoire continues his career at Rögle.
Thomas Grégoire was Luko’s most effective player this season. MATTI RAIVIO / AOP
Rauma Luko’s star defender Thomas Grégoire leaves Finland behind and moves to the ranks of Rögle BK, which plays in the Swedish SHL, the Swedish club informs on its website.
Grégoire and Rögle have signed a two-year contract.
– We have been following Thomas for some time. He is a skilled skater with a good shot and can produce in every area, Rögle’s sporting director Chris Abbott commented in the announcement.
Canadian Grégoire played in Luko for three seasons and was one of the absolute star players of the SM League. This season, the 24-year-old defender played 57 regular season games with 13+31=44 power points.
Next season, Grégoire will play in the Swedish premier league for the first time in his career.
– I don’t know much about Swedish hockey, but I know there are big rinks and fast players. Other than that, I don’t really know what to expect, but hockey is hockey.
– The first month is spent adapting to the team and the way of playing. I am going to change some things about my summer training.
Grégoire won the Finnish championship in his first season in Lukko’s shirt, when Lukko lifted the Canadian trophy at the end of the 2020-2021 season.
Luko’s season ended this year at the quarter-final stage. HIFK went on from the playoff series between the teams with match wins 4–2.