Helge Grans is one of the talented prospects in the Philadelphia Flyers’ organization who should see some time on the big league roster this season. A native of Ljungby, Sweden, the two-way defenseman is considered one of the Flyers’ top prospects in the American Hockey League (AHL). Drafted 35th overall in 2020 by the Los Angeles Kings, Grans was traded to Philadelphia on June 6, 2023 as part of a three-team trade that also involved the Columbus Blue Jackets.
The conclusion of the 2023-24 campaign marked Grans’ third season in the AHL. The 6-foot-3, 205-pounder came up in the Swedish ice hockey system, having made his professional debut with the Swedish Hockey League’s (SHL) Malmö Redhawks during the 2018-19 season. The Swede also has considerable experience in international competitions with the national team. Over the course of his career, his speed, puckhandling, and passing skills have caught the attention of North American scouts and front office personnel.
Malmö Redhawks
SHL franchises representing the Swedish city of Malmö have had their fair share of notable players wear the club’s black, red, and white sweater over the years. If Grans’ hockey career leads him to the NHL, he will join a proud group of former Malmö players who suited up in NHL games including Róbert Švehla, Richard Park, Mats Naslund, Andreas Lilja, Kim Johnsson, Tomas Sandström, Gustav Nyquist, Carl Söderberg, Martin Fehérváry, Rasmus Andersson, and André Burakovsky.
Grans appeared in parts of three seasons with the Redhawks. The 2018-19 campaign marked his first season in the SHL as he appeared in five games for Malmö. The following season, he appeared in 21 games for the Redhawks, scoring one goal and tallying two assists. His best season in the league was the 2020-21 campaign, when the blueliner recorded 12 points (three goals and nine assists) in 43 appearances.
International Play
Grans played in the Team Sweden sweater on numerous occasions during his career. Of particular note was his play in seven games for Sweden’s under-20 squad in the 2022 International Ice Hockey Federation (IIHF) World Junior Championship at Rogers Place in Edmonton. The defenseman tallied four assists, recorded six penalty minutes, and had a plus-5 rating during the competition. Sweden went 5-2 in tournament play, defeating Czechia (3-1) in the bronze medal game on Aug….
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