Surprise Prospect Appearance in Cranberry; Bemstrom Demoted

CRANBERRY — Melvin Fernstrom, who was acquired from Vancouver in the trade that sent Marcus Pettersson and Drew O’Connor to the Canucks Feb. 1, has turned up at UPMC Lemieux Sports Complex.

He went through an on-ice workout for about 50 minutes before the full-team practice.

Fernstrom, 19, was Vancouver’s third-round pick in the 2024 NHL Draft.

He is a 6-foot, 187-pound right winger who spent this season with Orebro HK and its junior club in Sweden, is not believed to have signed an NHL contract yet.

In a move that is not necessarily related to Fernstrom’s presence, the Penguins assigned winger Emil Bemstrom to their farm team in Wilkes-Barre.

Fernstrom had eight goals and nine assists in 48 appearances with Orebro’s senior club in 2024-25, and added 11 goals and seven assists in 12 games with the junior team.

The Penguins also received a conditional first-round draft choice, defenseman Vincent Desharnais and forward Danton Heinen in that deal with Vancouver.

Injured defenseman P.O Joseph worked out at the same time as Fernstrom, but they did it on separate rinks.