2014–15 SHL season
# 2014–15 SHL season

The 2014–15 SHL season was the 40th season of the Swedish Hockey League (SHL). The regular season began on 10 September 2014 and ended on 5 March 2015. The following playoffs began on 12 March and ended on 23 April 2015.

Skellefteå AIK won the regular season for the third consecutive season. Växjö Lakers won the Swedish Championship title by defeating Skellefteå in six games in a series where none of the two teams won at home until Växjö in game six. The title was Växjö's first in only their second play-off appearance.

Modo Hockey and Leksands IF were forced to play in the Direktkval till SHL to defend their SHL status. Modo swept the series against HC Vita Hästen while Leksand lost to Malmö Redhawks over seven games. Therefore Malmö were promoted to the SHL on the expense of Leksand.

## Pre-season

On 29 April 2014, the Swedish Sports Confederation (RF) informed that Modo Hockey player Edwin Hedberg had tested positive for the banned substance sibutramine in February. Hedberg voluntarily suspended himself for the duration of the investigation. On 9 July 2014, the RF handed Hedberg a six-month suspension from all organised sporting activity; the suspension ended on 24 October 2014.

On 7 July 2014, the RF suspended Luleå HF goaltender Mark Owuya from all sporting activity for one year. The verdict came due to an incident in February, in which Owuya disappeared without supervision during out-of-competition testing for doping. Owuya would have missed the entire 2014–15 season as a result, but appealed the decision to the top instance of the RF on 28 July 2014. On 4 September 2014, the instance decided to lift the suspension.

## Regular season

### Standings

Final standings :

| Team | Pld | W | OTW | OTL | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts | Qualification |
| - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - |
| Skellefteå AIK | 55 | 32 | 5 | 5 | 13 | 169 | 116 | +53 | 111 | Advanced directly to the playoffs |
| Frölunda HC | 55 | 23 | 11 | 6 | 15 | 145 | 120 | +25 | 97 | Advanced directly to the playoffs |
| Växjö Lakers | 55 | 24 | 9 | 6 | 16 | 158 | 120 | +38 | 96 | Advanced directly to the playoffs |
| Linköpings HC | 55 | 26 | 4 | 7 | 18 | 156 | 125 | +31 | 93 | Advanced directly to the playoffs |
| HV71 | 55 | 25 | 6 | 5 | 19 | 145 | 141 | +4 | 92 | Advanced directly to the playoffs |
| Örebro HK | 55 | 21 | 10 | 7 | 17 | 156 | 128 | +28 | 90 | Advanced directly to the playoffs |
| Färjestad BK | 55 | 21 | 6 | 8 | 20 | 128 | 135 | −7 | 83 | Play-in for the playoffs |
| Luleå HF | 55 | 21 | 6 | 4 | 24 | 127 | 131 | −4 | 79 | Play-in for the playoffs |
| Djurgårdens IF | 55 | 15 | 9 | 8 | 23 | 128 | 157 | −29 | 71 | Play-in for the playoffs |
| Brynäs IF | 55 | 19 | 3 | 5 | 28 | 132 | 159 | −27 | 68 | Play-in for the playoffs |
| Leksands IF | 55 | 15 | 3 | 6 | 31 | 116 | 179 | −63 | 57 | Relegation series |
| Modo Hockey | 55 | 12 | 4 | 9 | 30 | 127 | 176 | −49 | 53 | Relegation series |

### Statistics

**Scoring leaders**

List shows the ten best skaters based on the number of points during the regular season. If two or more skaters are tied (i.e. same number of points, goals and played games), all of the tied skaters are shown.

    As of 5 March 2015

GP = Games played; G = Goals; A = Assists; Pts = Points; +/– = Plus/minus; PIM = Penalty minutes

| Player | Team | GP | G | A | Pts | +/– | PIM |
| - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - |
| Ryan, Derek Derek Ryan | Örebro HK | 55 | 15 | 45 | 60 | +18 | 18 |
| Taffe, Jeff Jeff Taffe | Linköpings HC | 54 | 18 | 41 | 59 | +12 | 43 |
| Little, Broc Broc Little | Linköpings HC | 55 | 28 | 19 | 47 | +14 | 38 |
| Micflikier, Jacob Jacob Micflikier | Linköpings HC | 54 | 24 | 23 | 47 | +13 | 26 |
| Johansson, Martin Martin Johansson | Örebro HK | 54 | 24 | 22 | 46 | +18 | 10 |
| Olimb, Mathis Mathis Olimb | Frölunda HC | 51 | 7 | 39 | 46 | +19 | 65 |
| Rosen, Robert Robert Rosén | Växjö Lakers | 53 | 23 | 21 | 44 | +27 | 16 |
| Christensen, Erik Erik Christensen | HV71 | 46 | 13 | 31 | 44 | +7 | 14 |
| Scott, Greg Greg Scott | Brynäs IF | 47 | 18 | 24 | 42 | +4 | 20 |
| Sweatt, Bill Bill Sweatt | Brynäs IF | 54 | 19 | 22 | 41 | +3 | 36 |

**Leading goaltenders**

These are the leaders in GAA among goaltenders who played at least 40% of the team's minutes. The table is sorted by GAA, and the criteria for inclusion are bolded.

    As of 5 March 2015

GP = Games played; TOI = Time on ice (minutes); GA = Goals against; SO = Shutouts; Sv% = Save percentage; GAA = Goals against average

| Player | Team | GP | TOI | GA | SO | Sv% | GAA |
| - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - |
| Lassinantti, Joel Joel Lassinantti | Luleå HF | 38 | 2071:48 | 65 | 5 | 92.79 | 1.88 |
| Hudacek, Julius Julius Hudacek | Örebro HK | 45 | 2640:54 | 84 | 4 | 92.99 | 1.91 |
| Svensson, Markus Markus Svensson | Skellefteå AIK | 30 | 1789:47 | 57 | 3 | 91.88 | 1.91 |
| Nilstorp, Cristopher Cristopher Nilstorp | Växjö Lakers | 38 | 2134:52 | 70 | 5 | 91.28 | 1.97 |
| Fernström, Linus Linus Fernström | Frölunda HC | 33 | 1851:50 | 61 | 4 | 90.63 | 1.98 |
| Pogge, Justin Justin Pogge | Färjestad BK | 30 | 1642:59 | 55 | 4 | 92.60 | 2.01 |
| Johansson, Lars Lars Johansson | Frölunda HC | 30 | 1492:46 | 50 | 3 | 91.50 | 2.01 |
| Rautio, David David Rautio | Linköpings HC | 33 | 1851:07 | 63 | 7 | 92.13 | 2.04 |
| Hanses, Erik Erik Hanses | Skellefteå AIK | 25 | 1415:06 | 48 | 2 | 91.50 | 2.04 |
| Högberg, Marcus Marcus Högberg | Linköpings HC | 27 | 1462:55 | 56 | 3 | 91.72 | 2.30 |

## Playoffs

The top six teams will qualify directly for the playoffs, while the four teams ranked 7–10 will play a best-of-three series and battle for the two remaining playoff spots.

### Play-in

The teams ranked 7 and 10, and the teams ranked 8 and 9, respectively, will face each other in a best-of-three series in order to qualify for the playoffs. The better-ranked teams in the two series will receive home advantage, i.e. two home games, if necessary. The two winners will take the two remaining playoff spots.

**(7) Färjestad BK vs. (10) Brynäs IF**

* Brynäs IF won series 2–1

**(8) Luleå HF vs. (9) Djurgårdens IF**

* Luleå HF won series 2–0

### Playoff bracket

In the first round, the top-ranked team will face the lowest-ranked winner of the two best-of-three series, the 2nd-ranked team will face the other winner of the two best-of-three series, the 3rd-ranked team will face the 6th-ranked team, and the 4th-ranked team will face the 5th-ranked team. In the second round, the highest remaining seed is matched against the lowest remaining seed. In each round the higher-seeded team is awarded home advantage. Each series is a best-of-seven series that follows an alternating home team format: the higher-seeded team will play at home for games 1 and 3 (plus 5 and 7 if necessary), and the lower-seeded team will be at home for game 2 and 4 (plus 6 if necessary).

| Quarterfinals | Quarterfinals | Quarterfinals | | | Semifinals | Semifinals | Semifinals | Finals | Finals | Finals |
| - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - |
| 1 | Skellefteå AIK | 4 | | | | | | | | |
| 10 | Brynäs IF | 0 | | | | | | | | |
| 10 | Brynäs IF | 0 | | | 1 | Skellefteå AIK | 4 | | | |
| | | | | | 4 | Linköpings HC | 1 | | | |
| 2 | Frölunda HC | 4 | | | 4 | Linköpings HC | 1 | | | |
| 8 | Luleå HF | 3 | | | | | | | | |
| 8 | Luleå HF | 3 | | | | | | 1 | Skellefteå AIK | 2 |
| (Pairings are reseeded after the first round) | (Pairings are reseeded after the first round) | (Pairings are reseeded after the first round) | (Pairings are reseeded after the first round) | (Pairings are reseeded after the first round) | (Pairings are reseeded after the first round) | (Pairings are reseeded after the first round) | (Pairings are reseeded after the first round) | 1 | Skellefteå AIK | 2 |
| (Pairings are reseeded after the first round) | (Pairings are reseeded after the first round) | (Pairings are reseeded after the first round) | (Pairings are reseeded after the first round) | (Pairings are reseeded after the first round) | (Pairings are reseeded after the first round) | (Pairings are reseeded after the first round) | (Pairings are reseeded after the first round) | 3 | Växjö Lakers | 4 |
| 3 | Växjö Lakers | 4 | | | | | | | | | 3 | Växjö Lakers | 4 |
| 6 | Örebro HK | 2 | | | | | | | | |
| 6 | Örebro HK | 2 | | | 2 | Frölunda HC | 2 | | | |
| | | | | | 3 | Växjö Lakers | 4 | | | |
| 4 | Linköpings HC | 4 | | | 3 | Växjö Lakers | 4 | | | |
| 5 | HV71 | 2 | | | | | | | | |

### Quarterfinals

**(1) Skellefteå AIK vs. (10) Brynäs IF**

* Skellefteå AIK won series 4–0

**(2) Frölunda HC vs. (8) Luleå HF**

* Frölunda HC won series 4–3

**(3) Växjö Lakers vs. (6) Örebro HK**

* Växjö Lakers won series 4–2

**(4) Linköpings HC vs. (5) HV71**

* Linköpings HC won series 4–2

### Semifinals

**(1) Skellefteå AIK vs. (4) Linköpings HC**

* Skellefteå AIK won series 4–1

**(2) Frölunda HC vs. (3) Växjö Lakers**

* Växjö Lakers won series 4–2

### Finals

* Växjö Lakers won series 4–2

### Statistics

**Playoff scoring leaders**

List shows the ten best skaters based on the number of points during the playoffs. If two or more skaters are tied (i.e. same number of points, goals and played games), all of the tied skaters are shown.

    As of 23 April 2015

GP = Games played; G = Goals; A = Assists; Pts = Points; +/– = Plus/minus; PIM = Penalty minutes

| Player | Team | GP | G | A | Pts | +/– | PIM |
| - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - |
| Holmström, Axel Axel Holmström | Skellefteå AIK | 15 | 7 | 11 | 18 | +4 | 0 |
| Little, Broc Broc Little | Linköpings HC | 11 | 5 | 9 | 14 | +3 | 8 |
| Tambellini, Jeff Jeff Tambellini | Växjö Lakers | 18 | 5 | 8 | 13 | +8 | 2 |
| Zackrisson, Patrik Patrik Zackrisson | Skellefteå AIK | 15 | 4 | 9 | 13 | +4 | 4 |
| Kiiskinen, Tuomas Tuomas Kiiskinen | Växjö Lakers | 18 | 4 | 9 | 13 | +4 | 2 |
| Rakhshani, Rhett Rhett Rakhshani | Växjö Lakers | 18 | 8 | 4 | 12 | +9 | 8 |
| Rosen, Robert Robert Rosén | Växjö Lakers | 18 | 5 | 7 | 12 | +5 | 6 |
| Lajunen, Jani Jani Lajunen | Växjö Lakers | 18 | 6 | 5 | 11 | +6 | 8 |
| Calof, Andrew Andrew Calof | Skellefteå AIK | 15 | 4 | 7 | 11 | +3 | 2 |
| Heed, Tim Tim Heed | Skellefteå AIK | 15 | 2 | 9 | 11 | –2 | 0 |

**Playoff leading goaltenders**

These are the leaders in GAA and save percentage among goaltenders who played at least 40% of the team's minutes. The table is sorted by GAA, and the criteria for inclusion are bolded.

    As of 23 April 2015

GP = Games played; TOI = Time on ice (minutes); GA = Goals against; SO = Shutouts; Sv% = Save percentage; GAA = Goals against average

| Player | Team | GP | TOI | GA | SO | Sv% | GAA |
| - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - |
| Nihlstorp, Cristopher Cristopher Nihlstorp | Växjö Lakers | 16 | 1012:57 | 29 | 3 | 92.12 | 1.72 |
| Lassinantti, Joel Joel Lassinantti | Luleå HF | 7 | 417:06 | 13 | 0 | 92.74 | 1.87 |
| Svensson, Markus Markus Svensson | Skellefteå AIK | 15 | 932:20 | 29 | 1 | 91.92 | 1.87 |
| Johansson, Lars Lars Johansson | Frölunda HC | 13 | 815:16 | 27 | 2 | 92.11 | 1.99 |
| Wesslau, Gustaf Gustaf Wesslau | HV71 | 6 | 357:35 | 16 | 0 | 90.86 | 2.68 |

## SHL awards

* Guldhjälmen: Derek Ryan, Örebro HK
* Guldpucken: Victor Hedman, Tampa Bay Lightning
* Honken Trophy: Joel Lassinantti, Luleå HF
* Håkan Loob Trophy: Broc Little, Linköpings HC
* Rookie of the Year: Marcus Sörensen, Djurgårdens IF
* Salming Trophy: Tim Heed, Skellefteå AIK
* Stefan Liv Memorial Trophy: Noah Welch, Växjö Lakers
* Guldpipan: Mikael Nord
