The Trade-Mart Dundee Stars are delighted to announce the signing of Swedish goaltender, Anton Svensson for the 2022-2023 Elite League campaign.

Anton joins the club from IF Troja-Ljungby of the Swedish, Allsvenskan league where last season he featured in 18 games and posted a save percentage of .884 per cent and a goals against average of 3.41.

The 33-year-old has also previously played in the Polish top tier and spent numerous seasons in the Swedish third tier league, HockeyEttan.

After rising through his home nation’s development leagues, Svensson was also called up to the very top of the Swedish hockey pyramid, as he went on loan to Malmo Redhawks in the SHL, this past season.

The Angelholm-born netminder has also won awards for the highest save percentage in the HockeyEttan league, which came in both the 2016-2017 and 2017-2018 season, whilst also recording the lowest goals against average in the 2016-2017 campaign.

Anton, who catches with his left-hand came through Rogle junior setup and now has over 375 games of experience throughout his 17-year career.

 

Picture: Planet of Hockey.

 

After securing the second half of his goaltending tandem, Stars GM and Head Coach, Jeff Mason said: “Anton has a tonne of experience, he has played in a lot of good leagues and I have spoken to a lot of his past coaches and gotten great reports back on him.

“I have watched him and saw first hand that he is someone who is very athletic and willing to play the puck.

“I believe he will give us a really good chance to win, he is a quality goalie in this league and he will be our backbone and he is very excited to come and join the Stars.”

Svensson is not shy at showcasing his ability to play the puck and the Stars boss was delighted to add such a reliable presence at the back.

Jeff continued: “Anytime you have a goalie who is comfortable playing the puck, it can save you a lot of time in your defensive zone and it saves your defensemen from some unnecessary hits and battles.

“So, it can really be a big benefit to a team having almost a third defender back there, who can stop the puck on the dump in and make that first pass to get the play moving and hopefully get a quick exit out of the zone.

“In the past few years, there has been an emphasis on goalies who can play the puck and he has great puck handling ability and hopefully that can help us exit cleanly out of our own end.

“So, I think he is certainly someone who the fans will enjoy having as their goaltender.”

Mason also addressed how he plans to utilise the experience of Svensson to further develop British keeper, Brython Preece and is hopeful of having strong competition for the starting spot.

“The goal is to have two goaltenders who you are comfortable with putting in the net and who can win you games and ideally, Anton can also help with the development of Brython.

“My intentions are that whoever is in the net, we are confident in and are comfortable with, but it is great to have competition, so I believe they will make a great tandem.”

 

Picture: Sport Interia.

 

Once his first move to British hockey was confirmed, an excited Anton added: “I see this as an adventure and I am so excited to join the team.

“I have had an eye on the UK hockey league during the past few years and once I got the opportunity, I knew I had to take the chance.

“Coming over to the Elite League, I expect good skilful players and to face teams that play strong offensive hockey.”

The Swede then shared how his conversations with Mason played a crucial part in his decision to move to Scotland.

Svensson said: “I immediately got a good feeling about Jeff and Dundee.

“I have heard a lot of good things about Jeff and his coaching but his visions with the team made my choice to come here easier.

“I look forward to having a successful year with the team, making lot of memories and performing in front of all the fantastic Dundee fans.

“I am also excited to be in new surroundings and the beautiful country of Scotland.”

The veteran goalie then revealed who he had spoken to before deciding to join the Stars, Anton commented: “I talked to Sebastian Bengtsson, who played in Dundee last year and he had lot of good things to say about the club and the city.

“I also reached out to former Star, Pontus Sjögren to get his perspective of being a goalie in the league and he also told me great things about his experience over in Dundee.”

Finally, Svensson shared a quick message for all the Stars fans and he said: “Go Stars go, together we will make this season a great one!”

 

Picture: Hokej Torun.

 

Anton is our 15th signing of the summer and joins Drydn Dow, Craig Garrigan, Philippe Sanche, Chris Gerrie, Brython Preece, Mac Howlett, Toms Rutkis, Kris Inglis, Carter Folk, Elijiah Barriga, Ryan Verrier, Fabrizio Ricci, Devon Daniels and Ben Sokay on the roster for next season.

You can get your season tickets to watch these 15 players and the rest of the team in the 2022-2023 campaign by contacting: [email protected]

Svensson will wear the #28 Stars jersey next season.

To view Anton’s career stats on Elite Prospects click HERE.

 

Featured image: Hockey Allsvenskan.

Banner Image: Min Hockey.

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Trade-Mart Dundee Stars Team
21 Games
6 Wins
14 Losses
1 OT Losses
13 Points