The former NHL defenseman joined CSKA Moscow from North America in the summer of 2022, becoming the first Swede to move to the KHL after Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine.
Claesson’s agent later claimed that the contract had effectively been signed just before the outbreak of war and that breaking it would have been expensive.
There’s really nothing to discuss. He had no other options. This was finalized before New Year’s, agent Aljosa Pilko told Expressen in July 2022, adding:
The rules are simple: play or pay back. Breaking your contract is very expensive.
During Claesson’s time at CSKA Moscow, the club often warmed up in shirts bearing the letter “Z”, a symbol of Russia’s war against Ukraine, Expressen reported.
“I haven’t seen the shirt... but it’s called the Army Club. That’s what it stands for: the Army Sports Club, CSKA. It’s been like that since the beginning,” agent Pilko said.
Claesson spent three seasons at CSKA before continuing his career with another Moscow club, Dynamo, in the summer of 2025.
After playing a total of 276 games in Russia, the Swede has now signed with Austrian side Salzburg.
Only one Swede currently plays in the KHL: Linus Weissbach, who represents St. Petersburg.
Claesson, 33, played two seasons in the SHL with Djurgården. In the NHL, he played for Ottawa, the New York Rangers, New Jersey, San Jose and Tampa Bay.
