Dispersal Draft: Hat Tricks Add Tellström from Motor City, Acquire Ponivanov and Sharma from Pee Dee

Hat Tricks Acquire Ponivanov and Sharma from Pee Dee, Add Tellström from Motor City in 2025-26 Dispersal Draft

May 22, 2025

DANBURY — The Danbury Hat Tricks selected forward Mathias Tellström from the Motor City Rockers in the first round of the 2025-26 FPHL Dispersal Draft. Additionally, the Hat Tricks acquired defenseman Ivan Ponivanov and goaltender Rahul Sharma from the Pee Dee IceCats for a second-round dispersal draft pick from Motor City and a dispersal draft selection from the Dashers Hockey Club.

F MATHIAS TELLSTRÖM

Tellström, 28, has played the past three seasons in the FPHL, most recently with Motor City, where he appeared in 33 games last campaign. Despite a minus-21 rating, the 6-foot-2 forward recorded five goals, 21 assists, and 26 penalty minutes. He began the season with the Monroe Moccasins, scoring one goal in four games.

The Swedish forward launched his hockey career with Linköpings HC before moving to North America, where he played junior hockey with the Metro Jets of the NA3HL from 2015 to 2017. During his time with the Jets, he racked up an impressive 152 points in 88 games, including a standout 2016–17 campaign in which he posted 77 points in 47 games and helped lead the team to a perfect 47-0-0 regular-season record.

He turned professional the following season in the SPHL, skating in 15 games with the Roanoke Rail Yard Dawgs and tallying two goals and one assist before returning to Sweden.

Following two seasons overseas and a two-year hiatus from hockey (2020–22), Tellström returned to North America, signing with the Watertown Wolves for the 2022–23 season. In his first year in the FPHL, he totaled 36 points (13 goals, 23 assists) in 39 games, finishing as one of the team’s top point producers.

In 2023–24, he split time between the Port Huron Prowlers and Baton Rouge Zydeco. He recorded three points (one goal, two assists) in five games with Port Huron and added 17 points (seven goals, 10 assists) and 14 penalty minutes in 15 games with Baton Rouge.

D IVAN PONIVANOV

Ponivanov, 26, made his FPHL debut last season with the Venom. The 6-foot-1 Russian played in 46 of the team's 53 games, contributing six goals and 12 assists along with 20 penalty minutes. Prior to joining the FPHL, the defenseman spent two seasons in Turkey with Buz Beykoz (37 GP, 13-31–44, 24 PIM), following a COVID-shortened 2020–21 professional season in Russia (9 GP, 3 assists). In 11 games versus the Hat Tricks, the blue-liner registered two goals and four assists.

G RAHUL SHARMA

Sharma, 21, completed his first professional season with a 6-6-1 record and a .890 save percentage in 14 games played. The Canadian netminder started two games against the Hat Tricks, going 1-1 with a .906 save percentage, including a 46-save overtime victory on March 8 in Danbury.

The 6-foot goalie previously posted a .925 save percentage in 17 games with the Bellingham Blazers in the USPHL Premier.

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ABOUT DANBURY HAT TRICKS:

The Danbury Hat Tricks are a professional hockey team based in Danbury, CT and compete in the Federal Prospects Hockey League (FPHL). Since their founding in 2019, the 2023 Commissioner's Cup Champions have brought thrilling, fast-paced, and hard-hitting hockey to the Danbury Ice Arena, earning a reputation for their competitive spirit, electric atmosphere and strong community ties. The team is dedicated to providing an unforgettable game-day experience for fans of all ages while proudly representing the city of Danbury.

Off the ice, the Hat Tricks are committed to fostering connections within the local community through outreach programs with schools, businesses and charities. By developing top-tier hockey talent and growing the sport in the region, the Hat Tricks aim to bring the community together and deliver entertainment that leaves a lasting impact.