Ex-Devils First-Rounder Unretires After Four Years, Signs New Pro Contract

Former New Jersey Devils center Jacob Josefson, who was taken with the 20th pick in the 2009 NHL Entry Draft, is back playing professional hockey for Djurgardens IF in the SHL.

It's been 4 years since he last played professional hockey, but former New Jersey Devils defenseman Jacob Josefson is back playing with Djurgardens IF in the Swedish Hockey League.

Former New Jersey Draft Pick Revives Career With Djurgardens IF

Taken with the 20th pick in the 2009 NHL Entry Draft by the Devils, Josefson had already previously played for Djurgardens IF before starting his North American professional career with the Albany Devils in the AHL and then the Devils in 2010-11.

Various injuries kept him from playing a full year with the Devils; the highest amount of games he played at the NHL level was 62 in 2014-15.

He later joined the Buffalo Sabres on a 1 year contract before 2017-18, but only played 39 games because of additional injury issues. He then returned to Sweden and rejoined Djurgardens IF for another 3 years.

He retired at the end of 2021-22, but is back playing once again, signing a contract and already appearing in a preseason game for the club against Almtuna IS.