Red Wings Central
ANTON AXELSSON
Anton Axelsson
Position: Left wing
Shoots: Left
Vitals: 6'0'' / 187 lbs.
Birthdate: January 16, 1986
Hometown: Ytterby, Sweden
Acquired: Detroit's fifth choice (192nd overall) in the 2004 draft
CSS Ranking: 144th European skater (2004)
Contract: None (no set deadline to sign)
RWC Says: Checking forward

STORIES

AWARDS
  • None listed

HISTORY
2003-04:
  • Had solid season in Sweden's under-20 league with Frolunda (28-7-10-17) as 17-year-old.
  • Selected 192nd overall by the Red Wings in NHL entry draft.
2004-05:
  • Finished fourth in Swedish under-20 league in scoring with Frolunda (33-12-30-42).
  • Also finished with 92 shots and a plus-24 rating.
  • Left off Sweden's roster for the world junior championship.
2005-06:
  • Debuted in Swedish Elite League with Frolunda, a top team (39-3-3-6, minus-1, 20 shots).
  • Appeared in 11 playoff games -- going pointless -- as Frolunda lost in Swedish final.
  • Also saw time with Frolunda's under-20 team (13-6-12-18, plus-13).
  • Saw second-line minutes for Sweden at WJC but didn't produce much (6-1-0-1).
2006-07:
  • Posted a career-high in points in Swedish Elite League with Frolunda (55-5-7-12).
  • Received mostly fourth-line minutes in limited role (36 shots, even plus-minus).
  • Frolunda (22-24-9) finished ninth among 12 teams and missed playoffs.
  • Transferred to Timra at season's end in search of more ice time.
2007-08:
  • Posted career numbers with Timra of Swedish Elite League (54-10-10-20).
  • Scored all 10 of his goals in the final 28 games, including five in final 11 games.
  • Finished with just 55 shots, four power-play goals and a plus-7 rating.
  • Scored two goals and two assists in 11 playoff games as Timra lost in semifinals.

SCOUT COMMENTS
"He plays an energetic up-tempo game, much like his brother (P.J.) but the whole thing is he has to get stronger." — Red Wings assistant general manager Jim Nill (June 2005) ... "He's probably got better hockey sense than his brother (P.J.) and he's probably got more upside (points-wise). But he's like his brother. He chases. He's an excellent two-way player and he can do some things with the puck, too." — Red Wings director of European scouting Hakan Andersson (August 2005).

STRENGTHS
Similar to older brother P.J. Axelsson in many respects ... A quick, sturdy skater, although not quite as fast as his brother ... Hard-working, defensively-conscious winger ... Good hockey sense ... Good puck skills and playmaking ability ... Excellent penalty killer ... Strong team player ... Forechecks hard and plays tenacious game ... Trains hard and has excellent conditioning and fitness levels.

WEAKNESSES
Hasn't shown enough of a finishing touch, even for a player who projects as a checker ... Still doesn't have the size to accompany a robust physical game.

PROJECTION
Axelsson is coming off his best year yet in Sweden, but his future is uncertain. There is no set deadline for him to sign with the Red Wings, and the specific date will be decided this summer by the NHL, NHL Players' Association and International Ice Hockey Federation.

STATISTICS
  REGULAR SEASON PLAYOFFS
SEASON TEAM LEAGUE GP G A PTS PIM GP G A PTS PIM
2002-03 Frolunda Swe-J18 14 11 12 23 2 -- -- -- -- --
2003-04 Frolunda Swe-J18 -- -- -- -- -- 5 2 2 4 0
    Swe-J20 28 7 10 17 14 5 0 1 1 2
2004-05 Frolunda Swe-J20 33 12 30 42 14 6 2 5 7 0
2005-06 Frolunda Swe-J20 12 6 11 17 2 1 0 1 1 0
    Swe 39 3 3 6 8 11 0 0 0 6
  Sweden W-U20 6 1 0 1 6 -- -- -- -- --
2006-07 Kungalvs Swe-3 1 1 3 4 0 -- -- -- -- --
  Frolunda Swe 52 5 7 12 14 -- -- -- -- --
2007-08 Timra Swe 54 10 10 20 10 11 2 2 4 4

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The next wave

RWC's top 10 prospects (end-of-season)
01 D Jonathan Ericsson » Grand Rapids (AHL)
02 F Darren Helm » Grand Rapids (AHL)
03 G Jimmy Howard » Grand Rapids (AHL)
04 D Jakub Kindl » Grand Rapids (AHL)
05 F Justin Abdelkader » Michigan St. (NCAA)
06 D Brendan Smith » Wisconsin (NCAA)
07 F Jan Mursak » Belleville (OHL)
08 F Cory Emmerton » Brampton (OHL)
09 F Dick Axelsson » Djurgardens (SWE)
10 D Kyle Quincey » Grand Rapids (AHL)
» COMPLETE RANKING »