Hardy Häman Aktell has 3 goals in first 2 games of Calder Cup Finals: ‘He’s been our best defenseman in the playoffs’

The Hershey Bears’ leading goal-scorer in the Calder Cup Finals is not Ethen Frank, Ivan Miroshnichenko, or Pierrick Dubé. In fact, it’s not even a forward.

Swedish defenseman Hardy Häman Aktell, signed by the Washington Capitals over the offseason away from the SHL, has scored three goals in the first two games of the championship series and leads all players in Calder Cup Finals goals. Häman Aktell is the only skater, for both teams, to score goals in both opening games.

“I think he’s been our best defenseman in the playoffs,” Bears head coach Todd Nelson said. “In Game 1 he played a real strong game. Obviously tonight (in Game 2), got rewarded with a couple goals. He’s been solid for us. He’s a guy we look to to shut other people’s lines down. He’s good at the penalty kill. He’s just elevated his game.”

All three tallies have come in different ways, showing Häman Aktell’s growing comfort with being more aggressive offensively.

Goal 1

Häman Aktell’s first goal came 12:51 into the second period of Game 1 to bring the Bears to within one of the Firebirds. Showing off his slick skating, the rearguard carried the puck from the left circle of the defensive zone and across the Firebirds’ blue line. After a centering pass by Jimmy Huntington deflected off a Firebirds’ defender’s leg, Häman Aktell found the puck in his skates and fired a shot past goaltender Chris Driedger.

Goal 2

Häman Aktell’s second goal came in Game 2 after a perfect faceoff win by Mike Vecchione in the offensive zone. Häman Aktell fired a one-timer from the point that beat Driedger glove side. The tally gave the Bears a 4-2 lead.

Goal 3

Häman Aktell scored his second goal of the night with 11 seconds remaining in Game 2. He hit the back of an empty net from Hershey’s zone, rifling the puck down the ice as soon as it touched his stick blade.

“I think a lot of confidence from the coach,” Häman Aktell said on what was behind the goal surge. “And to play a lot in every situation out there. Just some lucky bounces too. But keep shooting pucks, good things will happen. So yeah, huge goal today and to get a two-goal lead again. So nothing more than that.”

During the Calder Cup Finals, Häman Aktell has been on the ice for a staggering 5 goals-for and 2 against at even strength. The Bears have scored 7 even strength goals total.

With Aaron Ness lost to injury early in the Eastern Conference Finals, Häman Aktell was promoted to the first defense pairing with Bears captain Dylan McIlrath where he’s been given more responsibility. The two rearguards are huge; HHA is 6-foot-3 while McIlrath is 6-foot-4.

Reserves Dmitry Osipov and Jake Massie have been inserted into the Bears’ lineup during the Calder Cup Finals with Lucas Johansen and Vincent Iorio out due to injuries.

“We have a good depth,” Häman Aktell said. “Everyone’s stepping up a little bit extra here every shift. So it’s not just me. It’s all the guys out there.”

Häman Aktell, 25, signed a one-year, two-way entry-level deal with the Capitals last April. The Nashville Predators initially drafted him in the fourth round of the 2016 NHL Draft. The big Swede never signed and eventually made his way to the Växjö Lakers HC of the SHL for three seasons where he became a star.

In his final SHL campaign in 2022-23, Häman Aktell broke out for 36 points (9g, 27a) in 51 games, leading all Växjö defenders in scoring. In his 100 prior SHL games, he had just 27 points (8g, 19a). Häman Aktell won championships with Växjö in two of his three seasons (2021 and 2023).

This season, Häman Aktell appeared in six games for the Caps and 55 for the Bears, posting 11 points (2g, 9a). Häman Aktell has 7 points (4g, 3a) in 13 playoff games during the Bears’ current run.

As time has passed, Häman Aktell, who could be described as someone who has a chill personality, has noticeably grown more comfortable and has had more of a voice.

After the Bears fell behind in the championship series 1-0, Häman Aktell said to the press, “We know we can play with these guys and I know we can beat them, too.”

He was a big part of why they did in Game 2.