EC Red Bull Salzburg has signed 33-year-old defenceman Claesson to cover for the long-term absence of Olivier Galipeau. Claesson has played 184 NHL games, including playoffs, mostly with Ottawa, and also featured for the New York Rangers, New Jersey, San Jose and Tampa Bay. He won the Gagarin Cup with CSKA Moscow in 2023 and most recently played for Dynamo Moscow. Head coach Teemu Levijoki described him as a solid all-rounder who will add depth and a physical presence to the defence. Claesson said he wants to win the championship with the Red Bulls and will wear number 33.
Defenceman Joshua Wesley has returned to HC Falkensteiner Pustertal, where he played in 2024/25, recording four goals and 17 assists in 55 games including playoffs. After spells in Zvolen and Vitkovice, he came back to Bruneck last week. Wesley scored in his first game back, a 3-1 win over Pioneers Vorarlberg, and the Wölfe also won their weekend games in Budapest and Székesfehérvár. He will wear number 54.