Melvin Fernström

Melvin Fernström (born 28 February 2006) is a Swedish professional ice hockey player who is a right winger for the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins of the American Hockey League (AHL) while under contract as a prospect to the Pittsburgh Penguins of the National Hockey League (NHL). He was drafted 93rd overall by the Vancouver Canucks in the 2024 NHL entry draft.

Playing career In the 2023–24 season, playing for Örebro HK's junior team in the J20 Nationell, Fernström had 31 goals in 45 games. He was third in league scoring, ranking first for under-18 players. Following the season, he was selected 93rd overall by the Vancouver Canucks in the 2024 NHL entry draft.

He made his Swedish Hockey League (SHL) debut in the 2023–24 season for Örebro HK, playing six regular season games and three playoff games, playing alongside fellow Canucks prospects Jonathan Lekkerimäki and Elias Pettersson.

On 31 January 2025, Fernström's NHL signing rights were traded to the Pittsburgh Penguins along with a conditional 2025 first-round pick, forward Danton Heinen and defenceman Vincent Desharnais in exchange for defenceman Marcus Pettersson and forward Drew O'Connor. On 14 June 2025, Fernström was signed to a three-year, entry-level contract with the Penguins, however would continue his development with Örebro HK on loan for the 2025–26 season.

Fernström was unable to replicate his previous seasons offensive contributions with Örebro, totalling just 3 goals and 4 points through 36 regular season appearances. On 5 February 2026, Fernström left Örebro after he was re-assigned by the Penguins to join AHL affiliate, the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins, for the remainder of the season.

International play

Fernström was Sweden's leading scorer at the 2024 IIHF World U18 Championships, winning a bronze medal.

Career statistics

Regular season and playoffs Regular seasonPlayoffs Season Team League GP G A Pts PIM GP G A Pts PIM 2022–23 Örebro HK J20 9 0 1 1 2 1 0 0 0 0 2023–24 Örebro HK J20 45 31 32 63 28 8 5 5 10 0 2023–24 Örebro HK SHL 6 0 0 0 0 3 0 0 0 25 2024–25 Örebro HK J20 12 11 7 18 4 4 3 4 7 2 2024–25 Örebro HK SHL 48 8 9 17 4 3 0 0 0 0 2025–26 Örebro HK SHL 36 3 1 4 6 — — — — — 2025–26 Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins AHL 14 2 6 8 0 — — — — —SHL totals 90 11 10 21 10 6 0 0 0 25AHL totals 14 2 6 8 0 — — — — —

International Year Team Event Result GP G A Pts PIM 2022 Sweden U17 5th 6 1 2 3 4 2023 Sweden HG18 5th 4 3 2 5 4 2024 Sweden U18 7 3 5 8 6Junior totals 17 7 9 16 14