Athletic netminder with the ability to make highlight reel saves, Alnefelt owns the potential to eventually become a solid 1A/1B goaltender at the NHL level.
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May 2023 – Alnefelt has spent the majority of the last two seasons in the AHL acclimating himself to North American hockey. His save percentage and goals-against average improved throughout his 2022-23 campaign, as opposed to the rather lackluster 2021-22 season. As one of the three goaltenders the Lightning have signed for next year, there’s a serious chance that Alnefelt could secure the backup spot behind Andrei Vasilevsky, but returning to Syracuse for a third year is also a possibility. Seeing as he turns 22 soon, Alnefelt still possesses the potential to be a mainstay goaltender in the NHL, but it’s more likely that he becomes a 1B in the long term. Wade Messier
June 2020 – Alnefelt wrapped up his first season of pro hockey on a strong note, as he settled into a backup role for HV71 behind Jonas Gunnarsson and posted a 2.57 goals-against average and a .905 save percentage in 18 appearances. At the 2020 World Junior Championships, Alnfelt shined for Sweden’s U20 team with a 2.12 goals-against average and a .924 save percentage, continuing a strong track record at international performances. Current starter Jonas Gunnarsson remains under contract next season for HV71, so the next step for Alnefelt will be fighting for more of a split role with Gunnarsson next season as he hopefully continues his development into an NHL goaltender. Brandon Holmes
November 2019 – Alnefelt has made the jump to pro hockey in Sweden, as the young netminder has seized a role in the SHL for HV71 and has not looked back. Through his first six professional games, Alnefelt’s numbers have been excellent, as his 1.77 goals-against average and .925 save percentage have kept pace with incumbent starter Jonas Gunnarsson. Should the 18-year-old maintain this level of play, he looks poised to see more and more playing time at the SHL level and should be considered a primary option in goal for Team Sweden at the World Junior Championships come December. Brandon Holmes
June 2019 – Tampa took their first and only goaltender in the 2019 Draft in the Third Round, 71st Overall with their selection of Hugo Alnefelt. Alnefelt is a Swedish netminder who won Gold with Team Sweden at the U18 Championships, where he posted a sparkling .921 save percentage and 2.75 goals against average in five games played, however, his league play was a little less kind as he posted a .905 save percentage in 24 appearances with HV-71 in the Swedish junior ranks. With Alnefelt, you are betting on his cat-like athleticism in conjunction with good raw tools and a quick glove hand, however, consistency and control are his biggest hurdles to success. At times, Alnefelt is prone to making poor reads or tracking the puck poorly, which sometimes leaves him out of position or causes soft goals to go in from far out. If Alnefelt is smooth out the technical aspects of his game to match his high-end athleticism, there is reason for optimism that he can develop into a solid NHL goaltender. Brandon Holmes
Alnefelt signed a three-year entry-level deal with Tampa. He’s expected to play in the AHL this season.