Finnish center Matias Mäntykivi has traveled to the SHL for several seasons.
Now he also takes the step.
According to sources for Expressen, the Finn has agreed with Växjö ahead of next season.
Matias Mäntykivi is ready for Växjö.
Photo: Christine Olsson/TT / TT NEWS AGENCY
Växjö faces a lot of uncertainty regarding its center side next season. Dylan McLaughlin, Sebastian Strandberg, Ville Svensson and the injured Otto Koivula all have expiring contracts, which caused Växjö to probe the terrain early.
Now Expressen can reveal that Växjö Lakers have already decided on a name. According to sources, the club is in agreement with Finn Matias Mäntykivi, 24, who will join ahead of the 2026/27 season.
Sources state that the contract must have been signed some time ago and the plan is for Mäntykivi to have a clear top role next season. He has been a key player for Ilves for a number of seasons, playing together with Eemeli Suomi, who was signed from Ilves before the season.
Made his debut in the national team last season
JVM-merited Mäntykivi has been one of the more sought-after names on the European center market in recent years and has repeatedly been offered to the SHL. After a successful season in Ilves last year – 54 points in 60 games – he has continued to deliver this season too with 24 points in 34 games. Now he also takes the step and tests at the SHL.
Mäntykivi, who made his A national team debut for the Finnish lions last year during the Sweden Hockey Games, is described as an offensively skilled center with strong understanding of the game, good passing game and a sharp shot. What is seen as a certain question mark is the skating – but Växjö assesses that the whole weighs more heavily, and he will be presented when both clubs have finished playing this spring.
