Ilves signs former NHL defenseman Austin Strand for 2026–27
Ilves has signed Canadian defenseman Austin Strand for the 2026–27 season; he arrives from eight AHL seasons and has previous NHL experience.
Ilves announced it has signed Canadian defenseman Austin Strand for the 2026–27 season.
Strand arrives in Europe after eight AHL seasons. Last year he played 49 games for the Utica Comets, scoring 4 goals and adding 12 assists for 16 points. He has appeared in 347 AHL regular-season games (34 goals, 68 assists, 102 points) and made 26 NHL appearances with the Los Angeles Kings and Anaheim Ducks. In juniors he recorded 25 goals and 39 assists for 64 points in 69 WHL games in his final season.
Timo Koskela, Ilves' sporting director, described Strand as a proven, experienced defender entering his prime who will strengthen the club's defensive corps. Koskela highlighted Strand's size, mobility and reach, and said the player will be available from Ilves' first exhibition games to speed his adaptation to the larger ice and Liiga play.
The signing continues Ilves' summer recruitment and follows the club's earlier round of signings for the 2026–27 season.
Earlier coverage
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