(Photo Credit: Bildbyrån)

By: Andrew Lindroth | Follow me on Twitter! @andrewlindrothh

The Boston Bruins announced earlier today that they reached a deal with forward Jesper Froden to a one-year contract with an NHL cap hit of $842,500. Froden, 26, was recently awarded the Swedish Elite League Rookie of the Year award, scoring 22 goals and 40 points in 52 games played this season.

“The Bruins are very pleased to be adding Jesper to our organization,” Bruins general manager Don Sweeney said, per the team’s press release. “We have tracked Jesper’s growth in the SHL where he has proven to be highly productive, competitive, and a smart, two-way player. Jesper is very excited to join a competitive team with the opportunity to compete for a roster spot.”

Don Sweeney makes yet another clever, under-the-radar depth signing for the Boston Bruins. Froden is a highly competitive forward that has begun to dominate Sweden’s premier pro-hockey league (SHL), claiming the Rookie of the Year Award in his first full season. In 2019-2020, he made his first 49 appearances in the SHL with Skellefteå AIK, collecting 12 goals, and 29 points. The 5’10, 176-pound winger represented Sweden in the 2021 International Ice Hockey Federation Men’s World Championship, contributing three goals and four points in five contests.

Prior to playing in the SHL, Froden spent seven seasons skating in the HockeyAllsvenskan, the second-highest league in Sweden. During that time, the forward produced 87 goals and 174 points in 281 games. Froden is a low-risk, high-reward player with scoring touch that could serve as a depth option or on the bottom-six.