Detroit Red Wings

Griffins Brattstrom Leaving Red Wings Organization, Returning to Sweden

Swedish goalie played two AHL seasons with Griffins

Published

11 months ago

June 14, 2023

Bob Duff

Victor Brattstrom, Grand Rapids Griffins

Grand Rapids Griffins goalie Victor Brattstrom is departing the Red Wings organization and returning to Sweden.

Sebastian Cossa’s path to a spot with the Grand Rapids Griffins just got a little bit clearer. HV71 of the SHL, Sweden’s top division, was announcing on the club’s website that they are signing goaltender Victor Brattstrom. Brattstrom spent the last two seasons with the AHL Griffins.

“It will be really fun to play for such a long-standing association like HV71,” Brattstrom said on the HV71 web page. “The club has a lot of history and I am proud and extremely grateful for this opportunity. I look forward to a fun season with much success for the team.”

✍️ Välkommen till HV71, Victor Brattström!

Läs mer om nyheten på https://t.co/WnpHoP2trz #HV71 pic.twitter.com/7KfVv8ZI55

— HV71 (@HV71) June 13, 2023

One of eight goaltenders utilized last season by the Griffins, only Alex Nedeljkovic (26) would appear in more games for Grand Rapids than the 18 played by Brattstrom. However, Brattstrom’s numbers were not good. He was 4-8-3 with a 3.71 goals-against average and an .885 save percentage.

With Brattstrom and Jussi Olkinuora (15 games) both departing from the Griffins, and the increasing likelihood that impending UFC Nedeljkovic will not be signing a new contract the the club, it would seem that Cossa, Detroit’s 15th overall selection in the 2021, is likely to be one of the two goalies in Grand Rapids next season.

Cossa played three games last season with Grand Rapids, going 1-1 with a 5.57 GAA and .783 save percentage. He put up outstanding numbers with the ECHL Toledo Walleye. Cossa was 26-16-4 with four shutouts, a .913 save percentage and 2.56 GAA. On Wednesday, Toledo coach Dan Watson was earning promotion to be the new coach of the Griffins.

Brattstrom Spent Two Seasons With Griffins

Detroit’s 160th overall selection in the 2018 NHL entry draft, Brattstrom, 26, would spend two seasons with the AHL Griffins. In 32 games, the Swedish puckstopper was 11-16-3 with an .894 GAA and 3.32 GAA.

Expectations are that Brattstrom will be backing up Joni Ortio with HV71.

“In Victor, we get an extremely talented goalkeeper who has a strong drive and is very well trained,” HV71 sports manager Kent Norberg said. “He will be a perfect complement to Joni Ortio.”