Release from 27.10.2026

Salzburg sign former NHL defenseman Claesson | Wesley back in Bruneck

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Two win2day ICE Hockey League clubs have bolstered their defense in October. EC Red Bull Salzburg have signed Swede Fredrik Claesson, while HC Falkensteiner Pustertal have brought back Joshua Wesley. The two teams meet in Bruneck on Friday.

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Claesson to fill the gap left by Galipeau
The 33-year-old Claesson brings the experience of 184 NHL games including playoffs, most of them for Ottawa, along with the New York Rangers, New Jersey, San Jose and Tampa Bay. In the KHL he won the Gagarin Cup with CSKA Moscow in 2023 and most recently played for Dynamo Moscow. After recovering from an injury over the summer, he stayed in shape in Ottawa. Head coach Teemu Levijoki made the signing in response to the extended absence of Olivier Galipeau and sees Claesson as a solid all-rounder who adds depth and physicality to the blue line. The newcomer has set a clear goal: "I want to win the championship with the Red Bulls." He will wear number 33 in Salzburg.

Three games, three wins since Wesley's return
Joshua Wesley is no stranger in Bruneck. The 30-year-old defenseman already played for the Wolves in 2024-25, putting up four goals and 17 assists in 55 games including playoffs and reaching the quarterfinals with Pustertal. The son of NHL great Glen Wesley then moved on to Zvolen and Vitkovice. After parting ways with the Czech club, he returned to his adopted home last week. "The Puster Valley has become a second home for me," Wesley said. In his first game back last Wednesday against Pioneers Vorarlberg, he opened the scoring in a 3-1 win. Over the weekend, the Wolves also won with him in the lineup in Budapest and Székesfehérvár. This time he wears number 54.