Swedish forward Emil Bemström, 26, has signed a one-year contract with SC Bern, the National League club announced on Friday.

“Emil is a strong forward with a dangerous shot and extensive North American experience,” said Bern sports manager Diego Piceci. “We are convinced that his qualities make him a valuable addition to our squad.”

A product of Leksands IF in Sweden, Bemström was chosen in the fourth round, 117th overall, by the Columbus Blue Jackets in the 2017 NHL Entry Draft. He played a full SHL season for Djurgården in 2018-19 before embarking on a six-year stretch in North America.

Between 2019 and 2025, Bemström played 242 NHL regular-season game for Columbus and the Pittsburgh Penguins, where he was traded in February 2024 for Alexander Nylander and a conditional sixth-round draft pick. He recorded 75 points and 30 penalty minutes, and had no points in five post-season games for Columbus in the 2020 Eastern Conference playoff bubble.

CONFIRMED: Jesse Puljujärvi Signs Multi-Year Contract in Switzerland Finnish winger Jesse Puljujärvi, 27, has signed a two-year contract with Genève-Servette,<a href="https://www.gshc.ch/actualites/detail/article/jesse-puljujaervi-au-gshc-pour-deux-ans"> the National League club announced</a> on Tuesday.

Internationally, Bemström has represented Sweden at one IIHF U-18 World Championship, one World Junior Championship and one senior men’s World Championship.

Along with the Bemström signing, Bern also announced the contract extensions of Swiss defensemen Simon Kindschi and Louis Füllemann.

A perennial powerhouse in Switzerland’s National League, Bern is coming off three consecutive quarterfinal defeats. In addition to Bemström, the team has under contract for 2025-26 ex-NHLers Anton Lindholm, Joël Vermin and Waltteri Merelä.

Finn Waltteri Merelä moves from Tampa Bay to Bern After one season in North America, split between the NHL’s Tampa Bay Lightning and the AHL’s Syracuse Crunch, 25-year-old right winger Waltteri Merelä has signed a one-year contract with National League club SC Bern. Merelä is yet another name to the<a href="https://thehockeynews.com/international/latest-news/lausanne-signs-trio-of-finns-janne-kuokkanen-lauri-pajuniemi-ahti-oksanen"> list of Finns who have chosen to play in Switzerland</a> over other European options.