The Anaheim Ducks have officially inked a deal with right wing Herman Traff, bringing him on board with a three-year entry-level contract starting in the 2026-27 NHL season. Before he hits the NHL ice, Traff will spend time with the San Diego Gulls, Anaheim's main development team in the AHL, on an amateur tryout for the rest of the 2025-26 season.
Traff, a promising 20-year-old talent from Växjö, Sweden, has been turning heads with his performance in Sweden's HockeyAllsvenskan. This season, he racked up an impressive 41 points (23 goals, 18 assists) over 51 games with Oskarshamn.
Notably, he led the league in power play goals with 12, ranked fifth in overall goals, and tied for eighth in total scoring. His 23 goals were just shy of the Allsvenskan single-season record for players 20 or younger, set by Jonathan Dahlen.
In the playoffs, Traff continued to showcase his skills, contributing three assists in three games to help Oskarshamn reach the Quarterfinals. Standing at 6-foot-3 and weighing 216 pounds, Traff brings a commanding presence on the ice.
Prior to this, Traff gained experience in the Swedish Hockey League (SHL) with HV71 during the 2024-25 season, where he notched seven points (3 goals, 4 assists) in 25 games, along with 29 penalty minutes. Among his peers aged 19 and under, he was tied for 10th in points per game. Additionally, on loan to Nybro in the HockeyAllsvenskan, he added six points in nine games.
Throughout his career in the HockeyAllsvenskan, Traff has played 68 games, amassing 50 points (27 goals, 23 assists) and 67 penalty minutes across stints with Oskarshamn, Nybro, and Vasteras. Initially drafted by New Jersey in the third round of the 2024 NHL Draft, Traff has also shined on the international stage, representing Sweden in the 2025 World Junior Championship with two goals in seven games.
With his blend of size, skill, and scoring ability, Traff is poised to make a significant impact as he transitions to North American hockey. Ducks fans should keep an eye on this young Swede as he develops his game in the AHL, gearing up for what promises to be an exciting NHL career.