HIFK dropped a transfer bomb – Olli Jokinen's trusted player returns to the League

HIFK has strengthened its defense with Swedish Linus Nässén, who joins the club on a 1+1 year contract. The contract covers the 2026–2027 season and includes an option for the 2027–2028 season.

The 28-year-old Nässén moves to Helsinki from Sweden’s SHL team Timrå IK, where he played for the last two seasons. In Finland, the defender is already familiar from Jukurit, where he spent three seasons from 2021 to 2024.

Nässén states that the decision to move to HIFK came quickly after the club’s contact.

– When HIFK reached out and shared plans for the upcoming season, the decision to sign was easy for me. I had only heard good things about HIFK and Helsinki as a city, so I am really excited, he says in the club’s announcement.

The defender describes himself as a versatile player who can influence different aspects of the game.

– I would describe myself as a two-way defender. I am a good skater and like to control the pace of the game. I want to bring reliability across the entire rink, be a leading player, and bring a lot of energy.

In the league, Nässén played a total of 185 games with Jukurit, where he collected 87 points. He was also part of the team’s leadership group.

Part of the reason for the transfer was also the familiar coach Olli Jokinen, under whom Nässén has played for several seasons both in Jukurit and Timrå.

– Olli has been my head coach for a total of four seasons. I have succeeded well in the teams he has coached, so I am really excited to be under his guidance again. Olli is an honest coach who knows how to demand the right things from players.

Jokinen sees Nässén bringing versatility and responsibility to HIFK’s defense.

– We have a long history with the player. Linus can take responsibility on the power play, penalty kill, when in the lead, or when we need a goal the most.

According to the coach, Nässén has the opportunity to take the next step in his career in Helsinki.

– He is coming here to develop. To take that next step that he left off at Jukurit. In the SHL, he didn’t quite get to the puck-moving defenseman role he wanted and has the potential for. Now he has the chance to take on a top defenseman role here again.