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Anglet's Hormadi has secured its fourth summer recruit, and it carries significant weight in an increasingly athletic Ligue Magnus. The Basque club officially announced on Monday the arrival of Swedish defenseman Jesper Solomon Frisell, who played last season for the Jokers de Cergy-Pontoise. At 28 years old, the Scandinavian is changing teams but remains in the French elite, where he left a notable mark despite a late arrival in January 2026. The transfer was confirmed as early as July 20 by the reference platform Elite Prospects, before being relayed by specialized media and the club itself.
A defensive rock with an atypical journey
Born on December 26, 1997, in Karlskrona, southern Sweden, Jesper Solomon Frisell was forged in the lower Scandinavian divisions.
Born on December 26, 1997, in Karlskrona, southern Sweden, Jesper Solomon Frisell was forged in the lower Scandinavian divisions. He trained at Karlskrona HK, his formative club, before stringing together seasons in HockeyEttan and then HockeyAllsvenskan, the second and third tiers of Swedish hockey. A journey without statistical flair, but one that shaped a defenseman with a resolutely defensive profile, more concerned with protecting his zone than with offensive flourishes.
In the summer of 2025, he tried his luck in North America and joined the Bloomington Bison in the ECHL, a league known for its physical play and high tempo. In 29 games, he compiled two goals and one assist. Modest numbers that mask a very real impact: Frisell stood out there for his consistency in effort and his ability to neutralize opposing attackers in critical moments, especially on the penalty kill.
In January 2026, Cergy-Pontoise spotted a good opportunity. The Jokers, then in the thick of a playoff race, were looking to solidify a sometimes shaky defense. Frisell arrived in the Paris region and established himself within weeks as one of the most reliable defensemen on the roster. His size, rigorous positioning, and game reading quickly made him a key piece of the Parisian setup. Cergy would finish the regular season in the top 6 before falling in the quarterfinals against a Bordeaux team that would clinch the first title in its history. A shortened campaign that nonetheless confirmed the value of the Swedish defenseman.
Anglet methodically strengthens its defense
On the Anglet side, the summer project is in full swing with a stated ambition: no longer settling for the middle of the standings. After officially announcing the signings of American goaltender Jason Grande, winner of the Continental Cup with the Nottingham Panthers, and forward Caden Brown, who is about to discover European hockey, the Basque club adds an experienced piece to its defensive corps.
Frisell already knows Ligue Magnus, its intensities, and its cramped rinks: a significant asset for a team aiming for a playoff berth after a respectable but inconsistent 2025-2026 season, which ended in ninth place. The Hormadi staff is banking on defensive stability to take the next step. With the Swede, Anglet gets a player well-versed in the French championship, capable of mentoring the younger players and providing a physical presence in battles along the boards. His arrival also compensates for the planned departures of several defensive stalwarts.
The Ligue Magnus transfer market never sleeps in July
The transfer market remains active as the summer resumption approaches. Cergy-Pontoise, which loses Frisell, has already reacted by bringing in American defenseman Ryan Orgel for the upcoming season. Meanwhile, Briançon is adjusting its roster, Marseille is extending its key players, and Bordeaux and Grenoble are fine-tuning squads built for the title. The 2026-2027 season promises to be one of the most competitive in recent history, with a noticeable tightening between the favorites and the outsiders.
For Frisell, the challenge is clear: confirm his excellent half-season at Cergy over the course of a full campaign and establish himself as a pillar of the Anglet defense. The La Barre rink, known for its electric atmosphere, is already eager to see this discreet but terribly effective Swede in action — the kind of player fans learn to love in the shadow of star forwards.