Senators block prospect Mikael Wikstrand from playing in Sweden
The Ottawa Senators won't allow one of their prospects to play in his native Sweden.
Defenseman Mikael Wikstrand, who flew home to play the season for Farjestad BK of the Swedish Hockey League, will be suspended if he doesn't return to North America, general manager Bryan Murray announced Friday.
Murray: I've told him he can go back; be a grocery clerk; play in a beer league, but he can't play...unless it's with the OTT organization.
— Murray Pam (@Pammerhockey) September 25, 2015
Murray added he made it clear to the 21-year-old that he would play within the Senators organization this year - presumably in Binghamton of the AHL - or not play at all. Wikstrand forced Murray's hand by returning to Sweden.
Wikstrand later tweeted that he had returned home for personal reasons.
A seventh-round pick of the Senators in 2012, Wikstrand appeared in 46 games for Frolunda last season, recording five goals and 15 assists.