Former NHLer Pavol Regenda signs one-year contract in Sweden
A player with a notable international pedigree is returning to Europe.
On Thursday, HV71 of the Swedish Hockey League announced that the team has signed forward Pavol Regenda to a one-year contract for the 2026-27 season.
In a translated release, Johan Hult, HV71’s general manager, said Regenda’s addition will deepen the club’s attack.
“In Pavol, we get a powerful forward who is a recognized skilled scorer,” Hult said. “He comes here with a lot of experience both from playing in North America and from Olympic and World Cup tournaments with Slovakia. He will add edge to our forward side and I am happy that he chooses HV71 as his next club.”
Regenda says that he’s excited to join the respected Swedish franchise.
“It will be very fun to come to HV71 with the hockey culture I have heard exists in the city,” Regenda said. “I will contribute with both hard work, being a reliable player and hopefully being able to score some goals.”
Regenda comes to the SHL after spending the past four seasons in North America. An undrafted winger, he signed an entry-level contract with the Anaheim Ducks in June 2022. He played parts of two seasons with the organization, though he spent most of his time with the Ducks’ American Hockey League affiliate, the San Diego Gulls. After signing a one-year extension to stay with Anaheim in 2024, the Slovakian scorer was dealt to the San Jose Sharks for Justin Bailey in January of the 2024-25 campaign.
After not seeing any NHL ice that season, Regenda saw considerable time with the Sharks this past year, scoring nine goals and 10 points in 24 games. He also notched four goals and 12 points in 28 contests with the San Jose Barracuda, the Sharks’ primary affiliate.
The 26-year-old also represented Slovakia at the Winter Olympics for the second time in his career. He posted three goals and five points in six games, helping his country reach the bronze medal game, ultimately losing to Finland. Regenda won bronze with Slovakia at the Beijing Olympics four years prior.
In 43 games in the NHL, Regenda notched 10 goals and 13 points, with 49 goals and 112 points coming in 204 regular-season AHL appearances.
