Slovak forward Pavol Regenda has joined the Swedish SHL club HV71 on a one-year contract, recording five points in his first two games as part of a strategic effort to return to the NHL. Regenda, who rejected offers from the KHL and Swiss leagues, cited the SHL’s visibility to North American scouts as the primary reason for choosing Jönköping over other European options.
Regenda chooses HV71 to rebuild NHL prospects
Pavol Regenda entered the Swedish season with a specific objective: securing a path back to the National Hockey League. After spending four years in North America—primarily in the AHL—Regenda waited until the last possible moment for an NHL offer that never materialized. Despite scoring nine goals in 24 games for the San Jose Sharks last season, he did not secure a new one-way contract.
The decision to sign with HV71 was a calculated move. Regenda told the Swedish newspaper Expressen that he viewed the SHL as the best route for an NHL return because of the league’s high quality and the frequency with which North American scouts monitor its players. This approach mirrors that of Oliver Okuliar, who recently used strong SHL performances to earn a contract with the Pittsburgh Penguins, according to hetrik.sk.
Regenda did not lack options. He revealed to Expressen that he turned down offers from other SHL teams, including Rögle, Brynäs, and Djurgården. He also fielded offers from Switzerland and the Russian KHL. Regenda explicitly stated he did not want to move to Russia given the current situation, reaffirming that HV71 offered the best opportunity to showcase his skills for NHL teams.
Immediate offensive impact in the SHL
The 26-year-old power forward has immediately justified HV71’s trust. In his debut against the defending Swedish champions, Skellefteå, Regenda logged 18 minutes and 40 seconds of ice time, recording three hits and one assist in a 4-3 overtime victory.
Regenda followed that performance with a dominant second game, recording a hat trick and an assist in just over 15 minutes of play. His total of three goals and two assists through two games places him among the most productive Slovak players currently competing abroad.
Regenda noted that he was drawn to HV71 specifically because the team struggled in a relegation battle last season. He told Expressen that the management showed great confidence in him, and he believes the team’s situation allows him significant ice time, including roles on the power play and penalty kill, to help push the club toward the playoffs.
Slovak performance trends across Europe
While Regenda leads the early statistical surge, other Slovak players are posting significant numbers in the Czech Extraliga and SHL. At Oceláři Třinec, Libor Hudáček recorded five points in a single game during an 8-2 derby win over Vítkovice, including a goal and four assists in under 14.5 minutes of ice time. Hudáček currently ranks as the second-most productive player in the Czech league with seven points in five games.
Marko Daňo also contributed four points in the same Třinec victory, scoring his 100th goal for the club in the Czech Extraliga. Daňo is one of only 10 players in the history of Oceláři Třinec to reach that milestone. The Třinec second line, featuring Daňo, Hudáček, and Kubiesa, combined for 12 points in that single match.
In Sweden, Marián Studenič has started his fourth season with Färjestad BKL with strong offensive contributions. Studenič recorded one goal and three assists over a three-game span, including a shorthanded goal in a 5-0 win over Björklöven.
Career trajectory and international standing
Regenda is no stranger to Swedish hockey, having spent two junior seasons in the country where he recorded 10 and 28 points respectively. In the AHL, he appeared in 204 games, scoring 112 points.
On the international stage, Regenda has represented Slovakia at four World Championships and two Winter Olympics. His Olympic resume includes a bronze medal from the 2022 Beijing Games and a fourth-place finish.
HV71 now looks to Regenda’s physicality and scoring touch to stabilize a roster that has faced recent hardships. The forward’s ability to maintain this scoring pace will be the primary metric for scouts evaluating his readiness for a return to North America.
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