Kellman Hopes to Play in Sweden This Year

Joel Kellman’s time is now.

In April 2019, the Swedish Hockey League import signed a one-year contract with the San Jose Sharks. After starting the season with the Barracuda, Kellman earned his first call-up in December. For about a month, the 25-year-old center shuttled back and forth between the AHL and the NHL.

But by mid-February, Kellman had entrenched himself in Bob Boughner’s line-up. At the time of the pause, Kellman was skating top-nine minutes and taking a regular penalty kill shift.

Lest you think this was entirely because the Sharks had suffered attrition up front because of injuries and trades, San Jose put their money where their mouth is last month, re-signing Kellman for two years, $1.5 million.

“Joel has proven himself at the NHL level with his intelligence and responsibility on both ends of the ice,” San Jose Sharks GM Doug Wilson said in a press release that announced the deal.

San Jose Hockey Now caught up with Kellman, who’s back in his hometown Karlskrona, this afternoon.

The soft-spoken centerman confirmed his desire to play in Allsvenskan — that’s Jonathan Dahlen’s league — to prepare for the next NHL season. He also revealed which former Sharks prospect pushed him toward San Jose when he was choosing where to sign last year. Kellman also spoke up for Sharks captain Logan Couture’s leadership.