Former Red Wings Goalie Heading Home

For the second time in a week, a former Detroit Red Wings player is choosing to head home to play for the same Swedish club.

This time, it’s goaltender Magnus Hellberg. He is joining Djurgarden of the Swedish Hockey League.

“I am incredibly proud and happy to represent Djurgarden for the next three seasons,” Hellberg said on the club’s website. “Both I and my family are looking forward to becoming part of the Djurgarden family after 13 seasons abroad.”

AHL-Texas goaltender Magnus Hellberg is signing a three-year deal with Djugardens IF (SHL) that runs through the 2027-28 season.

Hellberg, 34, went 24-14-1 in 41GP with @TexasStars this season with a 2.69 GAA, .904 SV% & 2 SO.#AHLFreeAgency25 @InsideAHLHockey

— Tony Androckitis* (@TonyAndrock) June 12, 2025

Those 13 seasons were including a brief, yet seemingly popular tenure for the likable Hellberg with the Red Wings from 2021-23. He would play one game during the 2021-22 season, posting a victory over the New Jersey Devils in the final game of the NHL regular season.

That summer, he’d sign with the Seattle Kraken. There would also be a stop with the Ottawa Senators prior to the Red Wings reclaiming Hellberg on NHL waivers on November 23, 2022.

During the 2022-23 season, Hellberg saw duty in 17 games for the Red Wings. He’d go 4-8-1 with a 3.29 GAA and .885 save percentage. He left for good that summer, joining the Pittsburgh Penguins as a free agent.

This past season, Hellberg, 34, was with the AHL Texas Stars, top farm club of the Dallas Stars. A former Grand Rapids Griffins goalie, he would see action against the Griffins in the Calder Cup playoffs.

Second Red Wings Connection With Djurgarden

Just last week, Djurgarden was signing former Red Wings defenseman Gustav Lindstrom. The club was earning promotion to the SHL for this season and they believe Hellberg can provide the experienced netminding required to survive in the highest level of hockey in Sweden.

“He will be an extremely important cog for us to bring home,” Djurgarden sporting director Niklas Wikegard said. “He is a goalie that we feel safe with and who will upgrade us, together with the backline that we are putting in.

Exit Interview: Magnus Hellberg 🎥

Hear from Helly on the season, working with Remi, favorite memories, and more! pic.twitter.com/IGRBonvFJH

— Texas Stars (@TexasStars) June 12, 2025

“He has represented some of the best clubs in the KHL and has been on the cusp of the best clubs in the NHL. He has also had strong results in the AHL in recent years.”

Although he’s played for Sweden in two Olympic Games and two IIHF World Championships, winning a gold medal in 2018, Hellberg hasn’t played in Sweden’s domestic league since 2012.

Djurgarden will be the 23rd team of Hellberg’s pro career.