Pittsburgh Penguins forward prospect Melvin Fernstrom is set to begin a new chapter in his career with news of his assignment to Wilkes-Barre/Scranton of the American Hockey League on Wednesday.
Fernstrom, 19, had spent the season playing for Orebro of the Swedish Hockey League (SHL) in his native country.
That was a result of the Penguins loaning Fernstrom, who signed a three-year entry-level deal with Pittsburgh worth $872,500 annually last summer, to Orebro to begin the season.
But after he managed only three goals with an assist in 36 games, Fernstrom, his representation, the Penguins and Orebro agreed to plot a new course.
Orebro released a statement explaining the situation Jan. 26: “Melvin’s season has not been what neither we, Pittsburgh nor Melvin himself wanted,” sports manager Henrik Lowdahl said. “Now we have found ourselves in a situation where we cannot offer Melvin the playing time he needs.
“We have had a dialogue with Pittsburgh and Melvin’s advisors and together we have agreed that this will be the best solution for everyone. Melvin will join Pittsburgh’s organization shortly and until then he will continue to train in our operations.”
Now, the 6-foot-1, right-handed winger will look to make his North American hockey debut in the AHL.
A third-round (No. 93 overall) draft pick by the Vancouver Canucks in 2024, Fernstrom was part of the return package the Penguins received for defenseman Marcus Pettersson and forward Drew O’Connor on Feb. 1, 2025.
The Balsta, Sweden, native was in the midst of his third SHL campaign. Last season, he scored eight goals with nine assists in 48 games for Orebro.
Notes: The Penguins placed netminder Filip Larsson on unconditional waivers for the purpose of contract termination Tuesday. After clearing waivers at 2 p.m. Wednesday, he became a free agent and quickly signed with Leksands IF of the Swedish Hockey League, for whom he played in 2023-24. … The NHL’s trade freeze for the Olympic break went into effect at 3 p.m. Wednesday and will last until 11:59 p.m. Feb. 22.
