Wojciech Stachowiak was hoping to stay in the Detroit Red Wings organization. When that didn’t happen, he was seeking a shot with another NHL team.

Again, there were no takers. Finally, Stachowiak found a hockey home. The former Grand Rapids Griffins forward has agreed to terms with Örebro of the SHL, Sweden’s top league.

Laut „Expressen“ wechselt Wojciech Stachowiak zur kommenden Saison zu Örebro in die schwedische Liga.

Übersetzt: „Von Anfang an war die Idee, aufgrund des laufenden Vertrags zu seinem ehemaligen Verein Ingolstadt zurückzukehren.

Doch Örebro hat nun eine Lösung mit dem… pic.twitter.com/dT2S3r1bSD

— Eisblog (@Eisblog_) August 18, 2026

According to reports from the Swedish website Expressen, Stachowiak only needs to pass a medical, and the official announcement of his signing will be made public.

Expectations were that Stachowiak would be returning to his old club, Ingolstadt in Germany’s DHL, if no North American offer was forthcoming. However, a sudden opening was created in Örebro when Finnish forward Teemu Turunen announced that he would be required to remain in Finland for family reasons.

A 27-year-old left-shot forward who can play either wing, Stachowiak is a German international. He played alongside Red Wings defenseman Moritz Seider for his homeland earlier this year at the Milan Cortina Winter Olympic Games.

Detroit acquired Stachowiak in a late-season deal with the Tampa Bay Lightning. He spent the remainder of the season with the AHL Griffins. In 10 games, the 6-foot-1, 194-pound winger accumulated four goals and 15 points.

Playing alongside Eduards Tralmaks and Jakub Rychlovsky, they formed an effective third line for the Griffins. None of that trio will be back in Grand Rapids this season.

Stachowiak was Critical of the Red Wings

Earlier this summer, Stachowiak was critical of the Red Wings, feeling they showed no interest in signing him to a new contract.

“We negotiated and talked a lot,” Stachowiak told the German website Eishockey News. “In the end, it didn’t sound like a priority for them to bring me into the NHL.”

Without a qualifying offer, he became an unrestricted free agent.

Pretty impressive second game in a @griffinshockey uniform for newcomer Wojciech Stachowiak. He produces three points (1g-2a) in four and a half minutes on a productive line with Eduards Tralmaks and Jakub Rychlovsky. GR wins 5-2 in Cleveland to clinch Central Division title. pic.twitter.com/pLcUhJqVmn

— Bob Kaser (@bkaser1) March 27, 2026

“The most important thing for me now is that I find a team where I really have a chance to make my NHL debut,” Stachowiak said. “I’m definitely optimistic. I’m someone who always looks forward.”

Ultimately, opportunity is knocking for him back in Europe. Orebo’s roster includes another former Griffins player and Red Wings prospect, goaltender Filip Larsson.