Frölunda signs Cedric Paré, Digi Mart USA News (Gothenburg, Sweden): Frölunda has been searching for a top center since the spring, and the search has now ended. The Swedish club has signed Cedric Paré from Toronto Marlies of the American Hockey League (AHL).
In its press release, Frölunda said it was strengthening the team and filling a gap. “Frölunda is reinforcing and filling a hole,” the club stated.
The club described the move as the final chapter of a months-long search, saying it had found “its guy,” a big player from Levis, just outside Quebec, Canada.
Sporting director Fredrik Sjöström said the club had pursued a center for a long time. “We have chased a center for a long time, and Cedric Paré is the type we have been missing.
He is a good guy, a team player who competes and will strengthen us,” Sjöström said.
Paré is not necessarily the top-line center Frölunda had sought after Theodor Niederbach and Arttu Ruotsalainen departed after last season. Sjöström said the club needed to add someone now.
“We have many games ahead in the SHL, CHL and Spengler Cup, and may have some players away at the World Junior Championship. We needed to get something in now,” he said.
The 27-year-old Canadian is a large, strong center standing 191 centimeters tall and weighing 98 kilograms. Paré described his game in his own words.
“I am a two-way center who wants to contribute offensively, but I don’t back away from the defensive work. So I am a good checker,” he said.
Paré has spent the last five seasons in the AHL. He won the Calder Cup with Toronto Marlies this past summer.
The contract is signed for the remainder of the season, and he will join the team next week.
Earlier in the season, Frölunda’s center depth chart consisted of Jacob Peterson, Bosse Meijer, Nicklas Lasi and Noah Hasa.
