Oskar Steen heading home, signs long-term with Färjestad

After an off-season of speculation, Oskar Steen is heading back to the club that developed him, signing a five-year contract, the SHL club announced on Saturday.

“It feels fantastic,” said Steen. “In some way, I’ve longed for this day, even if I might have hoped that I would manage to stay a little longer over there. But Färjestad is the team in my heart and I enjoy myself very well in Karlstad, so it feels incredibly good.”

Meeting the local media, he was asked what’s the difference between the 21-year-old who went to North America and the 26-year-old who’s returning.

“It’s probably the same player who’s coming back, but better, I can only hope,” he speculated. “During those years, I’ve gained a lot of experience, played with very good players and learned from players who are world-class. I’ve seen and learned a lot and feel really hungry to come back and show what I’m about.”

Over the past five seasons, Steen has spent most of his time with the AHL’s Providence Bruins, recording 119 points in 230 regular-season and playoff games. He’s also suited up for 60 games for the NHL Bruins, scoring four goals and adding four assists.

A month ago, Steen’s agent told Swedish newspaper Värmland's Folkblad that his client had already been informed that the Bruins had no intention of re-signing him. At the time, they were pursuing a contract with another NHL team, but Färjestad was already looking like a strong possibility.

“Bringing Oskar Steen home is something we didn’t initially count on this year,” said Färjestad sports director Rickard Wallin. “But we’ve been clear all along with Oskar that when the time comes, we want him to come home and help us win a new title, and so it feels extra good that this is now the case.”

“I have lived in the USA for five years, and it is a big difference to Sweden and a big adjustment,” said Steen. “I’ve grown as a person and over there it is a different mentality when it comes to dealing with things. But it will be fun to come home and play for the team, friends and everyone here. Färjestad is very close to my heart and it will feel special to go into a packed home arena in Karlstad again. It just feels so good.”