Swedish forward Jacob de la Rose, 29, was injured in Fribourg-Gottéron’s second playoff game this season and will miss the rest of the season, he announced via video on the Swiss club’s social media channels on Friday.
“Hey guys, unfortunately I can’t play anymore this season,” de la Rose began. “But I really think we’ve got a good thing going on this year and I do believe we have a great chance of winning, so I’m going to be here every day supporting the team with you guys, the fans. Allez Gottéron!”
The injury occurred on March 16, which was Game 2 of Fribourg’s National League quarterfinal series against SC Bern. The nature of the injury has not been disclosed. Since then, two more games have been played in the series, with Fribourg up 3-1 in games.
Fribourg finished sixth in the regular-season standings, while Bern was third.
Originally from Arkiva, Sweden, de la Rose rose through the ranks of Leksands IF, turning pro in 2013-14 with 13 points in 52 SHL regular-season and playoff games.
He was a second-round draft pick of the Montreal Canadiens in 2013 and played 242 NHL regular-season games between 2014 and 2021 for the Canadiens, Detroit Red Wings and St. Louis Blues, recording 38 points and 84 penalty minutes. He was also held pointless in 17 playoff games.
He has played back in Europe since 2021, first in Sweden with Färjestad and for the past three seasons with Fribourg in Switzerland and is signed with the team through 2027. This past season, he had 27 points in 51 regular-season games. De la Rose also had five points in seven Champions Hockey League games and was part of the Fribourg team that won the Spengler Cup, chipping in with five points in four games.
Internationally, de la Rose has represented Sweden at two IIHF U-18 World Championships, three World Junior Championships, two senior-level World Championships and the 2018 Winter Olympics in Pyeongchang.
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