After the end of his career: Former ICEHL top scorer celebrates comeback!

Swedish striker Johan Harju is now celebrating a comeback after retiring in 2023. The former HC Pustertal crack is moving to the Swedish fifth division – and with a former NHL crack in his luggage!

Harju established himself as the absolute top scorer and crowd favorite at HC Pustertal in the win2day ICE Hockey League when he recorded strong 45 points in 49 games for HC Pustertal in the premiere season 2021/22. After a short interlude in the Finnish Liiga, the veteran returned to Brunico the following year before the NHL and KHL-experienced professional finally ended his career in October 2023.

Now the former national player is celebrating an unexpected return to active ice hockey after this three-year break. Harju is now playing for the Swedish fifth division club Övertornea HF. The 79-time NHL crack and Swedish world champion Linus Omark also moved there.

Image: GEPA pictures/ Gintare Karpaviciute





Jake Thompson

Jake Thompson

Hello, I'm Jake Thompson, a proud Canadian with a lifelong passion for hockey. Growing up in Toronto, I spent my mornings on the ice and my evenings analyzing every game, which naturally led me to a career in sports journalism. At DUBNetwork, I merge my love for storytelling and the sport to bring you compelling insights from the heart of hockey.