The Pittsburgh Penguins have “called back” forward prospect Melvin Fernstrom, according to his incumbent team, Orebro of the Swedish Hockey League (SHL).
Orebro announced the decision Monday in a press release. A Penguins spokesperson confirmed the development, but it wasn’t immediately clear as to what fashion Fernstrom will be joining the Penguins.
An assignment to Wilkes-Barre/Scranton of the American Hockey League or Wheeling of the ECHL is possible, but that decision is being hashed out with Fernstrom’s representation, the NHL and Orebro. Additionally, immigration status for Fernstrom, a native of Sweden, may need to be sorted out.
Henrik Lowdahl, sports manager of Orebro, issued a statement. Via a translation, it read:
“Melvin’s season has not been what neither we, Pittsburgh nor Melvin himself wanted. 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.”
Fernstrom, 19, is in the midst of his third professional season with Orebro and has largely struggled, posting only four points (three goals, one assist). On Jan. 15, he was loaned to AIK of the HockeyAllsvenskan, Sweden’s second-tier league, but has not played in a game for that club.
Last season, as an 18-year-old, Fernstrom, a right-handed shot, broke out with Orebro by scoring 17 points (eight goals, nine assists) in 48 games and was named the SHL’s rookie of the year.
“A lot of offensive potential,” Penguins director of player development Tom Kostopoulos said of Fernstrom in July. “His shot is elite. His ability to find space in the offensive zone is really high-end for a kid that age.
“To be put in with the big team and be able to produce, I think it was a really good season for him.”
The Penguins acquired Fernstrom as part of a trade that sent defenseman Marcus Pettersson and forward Drew O’Connor to the Vancouver Canucks on Jan. 31, 2025.
By June 13, he signed a three-year entry-level contract with the Penguins. Procedurally, the Penguins loaned Fernstrom to Orebro to open the season.
Fernstrom was a third-round draft pick by the Canucks (No. 93 overall) in 2024.
