American goaltender Collin Delia, 31, has signed a one-year contract with Brynäs IF, the Gävle-based SHL club announced on Friday.

“My family and I are incredibly happy to have this opportunity to represent a prestigious club like Brynäs,” said Delia. “The team’s passionate fans combined with its proud history made our decision easy. I’m looking forward to the season and I want to contribute to us going all the way and winning Swedish championship.”

Winning a title wouldn’t be such a huge leap for Brynäs who, despite being promoted from the tier-two HockeyAllsvenskan last season, finished first in the SHL regular-season standings and went all the way to the league finals, losing to Lulea in six games.

Delia joins a Brynäs team that has several big-name players, including Jakob Silfverberg, Johan Larsson, Robert Hägg, Oskar Lindblom, Michal Kempný and Christian Djoos.

Delia is the only healthy goaltender under contract right now, as former Toronto Maple Leafs goaltender Erik Källgren isn’t expected back until early 2026 after undergoing hip surgery.

“Collin is well-deserved and we have followed him for a long time,” said Brynäs sports director Johan Alcén. “He’s a goalie who always gives his best for the team and knows what is required at the highest level. He is very well-educated and incredibly good on his skates. It will be exciting to work with him and see what he can achieve in our environment.”

Ex-NHL D-Man Moves From Czechia To Sweden Czech defenseman Michal Kempný, 34, has signed a one-year contract with Brynäs IF, the Gävle-based SHL club announced on Friday.

Born in Rancho Cucamonga, Cal., Delia played three years of NCAA hockey at Merrimack College and then signed as a free agent with the Chicago Blackhawks in 2017. Between 2017 and 2022, he played 32 NHL games with Chicago, spending the rest of the time with the AHL’s Rockford IceHogs.

In 2022, Delia signed with the Vancouver Canucks, starting the season in the minors, third in the team’s goaltending depth chart, but played 20 NHL games that season after Thatcher Demko was injured and Spencer Martin faltered in the starting role.

Delia spent the last two seasons in the minor-league systems of the Winnipeg Jets and Edmonton Oilers.

In 52 NHL games, Delia has a goals-against average of 3.51, a save percentage of .897, a record of 19-18-7 and no shutouts. This is his first contract to play in Europe.

Photo © Bob Frid-Imagn Images.

Goalie Spencer Martin Signs In KHL Canadian goaltender Spencer Martin, 30, has signed a two-year contract with CSKA Moscow, the KHL club announced on Wednesday.