Hardy Häman Aktell has found his new team after coming to a mutual contract termination agreement with the Washington Capitals last week.
The 2024 Calder Cup champion with the Hershey Bears inked a three-year deal with SC Bern of the Swiss National League. Häman Aktell is eligible to play for his new club immediately. They have six games remaining on their regular-season schedule.
“Hardy fits perfectly into the profile we are looking for as a strong two-way defender,” general manager Patrik Bärtschi said in a statement. “I am pleased that we had the opportunity to bring him to Bern now and strengthen ourselves with another foreign defender.”
Häman Aktell had nine points (0g, 9a) in 27 games for Hershey before being placed on unconditional waivers by the Capitals. He made his NHL debut with Washington last year and played six career games at the top level.
SC Bern currently sits third in the National League with 78 points after 46 games. Häman Aktell will join fellow former NHL players Austin Czarnik, Waltteri Merela, Victor Ejdsell, Joel Vermin, Simon Moser, Patrik Nemeth, Dominik Kahun, and Anton Lindholm on the team’s roster.
The 6-foot-3, 216-pound rearguard previously spent five pro seasons in Europe with the Växjö Lakers in the SHL and IF Björklöven in the HockeyAllsvenskan. He won two SHL championships before signing with the Capitals in 2023.
