Finnish forward Henrik Borgström, 27, has signed a one-year contract with Fribourg-Gottéron, the National League club announced on Thursday.

Borgström played the last two seasons for HV71 in the SHL, where he recorded 86 points and 45 penalty minutes in 107 regular-season and playoff games.

A resident of Helsinki and a product of both the Jokerit and IFK clubs, Borgström was a first-round pick, 23rd overall, of the Florida Panthers in the 2016 NHL Entry Draft. He then played two years of college hockey at the University of Denver.

From 2016 to 2023, Borgström played in North America, mostly in the AHL but he also played 111 NHL games with the Panthers, Chicago Blackhawks and Washington Capitals, recording 26 points and 28 penalty minutes. Washington retains his NHL rights.

In addition to Borgström, Fribourg also announced the signing of American defenseman Michael Kapla on Thursday, completing the team’s roster for the 2025-26 season. Other players under contract include Swedish former NHLers Patrik Nemeth, Jacob de la Rose, Marcus Sörensen and Lucas Wallmark, as well as Swiss national team players Reto Berra and Christoph Bertschy.

“We are eager to begin preparing for the new season,” said Fribourg sports director Gerd Zenhäusern. “The new staff and new faces will bring a new dynamic. Everyone is very motivated for the coming season.”

Fribourg finished sixth in the National League regular season and lost in the semifinals to Lausanne. Fribourg won the Spengler Cup last December and has been invited back to the tournament to defend its title next season.

Fribourg-Gottéron Wins Spengler Cup For The First Time Fribourg-Gottéron has become the third Swiss team in three years to win the Spengler Cup, defeating the Straubing Tigers from Germany 7-2 in the final on Tuesday in Davos.