Red Wings Central
JONATHAN ERICSSON
Jonathan Ericsson
Position: Defense
Shoots: Left
Vitals: 6'5'' / 218 lbs.
Birthdate: March 2, 1984
Hometown: Karlskrona, Sweden
Acquired: Detroit's 10th choice (291st overall) in the 2002 draft
CSS Ranking: Not ranked
Contract: 2008
RWC Says: Two-way defenseman

STORIES

AWARDS
  • None listed

HISTORY
2001-02:
  • Father Sven and brother Jimmie also play hockey in Sweden.
  • Spent season with Hasten's junior team (who did not qualify for Sweden's junior elite level).
  • The natural center was used on the blue line for one game and stole the show.
  • Scout Hakan Andersson happened to be watching and convinced Ericsson to switch permanently.
  • Ended up being picked by Detroit with the last selection of the entire draft.
2002-03:
  • Became a regular in Sweden's third-tier league (49-2-4-6, 49 shots, even plus-minus).
  • Also played occasionally for Hasten's junior quad.
  • Showed enough promise to earn two-year contract with Sodertalje of the Swedish Elite League.
2003-04:
  • Made jump to Swedish Elite League with Sodertalje, but used primarily as a center.
  • Saw limited ice time, but had a goal and a minus-8 while winning 46 percent of 119 faceoffs.
  • Got ice time as a defenseman at the J-20 level for Sodertalje (16-3-4-7, plus-9).
  • Wasn't named to Sweden's WJC roster, one that finished seventh at the tournament.
2004-05:
  • Spent most of year as defenseman with Huddinge at Sweden's second level (24-4-7-11, minus-5).
  • Also played 15 games, mostly at the center position, with Sodertalje of Swedish Elite League.
2005-06:
  • Saw spot duty on Sodertalje blue line in Swedish Elite League (24-0-0-0, 11 shots, minus-7).
  • Had one assist in seven games as Sodertalje demoted to Sweden's second level for 2006-07.
  • Signed two-year entry-level contract with Detroit.
2006-07:
  • Appeared in four NHL pre-season games with Detroit (4-0-0-0).
  • Shocked everyone with terrific AHL rookie year in Grand Rapids (67-5-24-29, plus-5, 102 PIMs).
  • Tied for scoring lead among all Grand Rapids defensemen.
  • Started season on surprising scoring pace (36-4-18-22) but hit wall in second half (31-1-6-7).
  • Grand Rapids went 37-32-6-5, grabbing Western Conference's eighth and final playoff spot.
  • Held off scoresheet (7-0-0-0) in seven-game first-round playoff loss to Manitoba.

SCOUT COMMENTS
“He’s a guy who competes every night, and he’ll make a mistake here and there, but as a young guy, that will happen. He makes a good first pass, he has good hands, and his size is a tremendous asset. He’s not afraid to get his nose dirty and play the body.” -- Griffins general manager Bob McNamara (November 2006) ... "In training camp, I had him slotted in the AHL and hopefully he could survive there. He might have to have some time in the ECHL. He's been the biggest surprise, of anybody, right from Day 1 of camp. He came in with confidence. It's amazing." -- Red Wings assistant general manager Jim Nill (January 2007) ...

STRENGTHS
Surprising mobility and agility for a big man ... good hands and puck skills ... makes good first pass ... booming slap shot (100.1 miles per hour at the 2008 AHL skills competition) ... uses his skating, impressive reach and positional game to neutralize opponents in the defensive zone ... uses his size and gets involved ... willing to stand up for his teammates, fighting when necessary ... quick and willing learner ... character player ...

WEAKNESSES
Needs to continue improving his consistency defensively and moving the puck ... the ultimate project player because he began his career as a forward and only converted to the blue line in his draft year ... heavy shot but a quicker release will help him get NHL power-play time ...

PROJECTION
Mr. Irrelevant, the last pick in the 2002 draft, is suddenly very relevant. The late-blooming blueliner shocked everyone in 2006-07 with an outstanding AHL rookie season and showed no signs of slowing down as a sophomore in 2007-08. Ericsson projects as a two-way, top-four defenseman and should be ready for NHL duty in 2008-09, although his waiver-free status will hurt his chances of staying in Detroit.

STATISTICS
  REGULAR SEASON PLAYOFFS
SEASON TEAM LEAGUE GP G A PTS PIM GP G A PTS PIM
2001-02 Hasten Swe-J20 -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- --
2002-03 Hasten Swe-J20 13 4 9 13 37 2 0 1 1 2
    Swe-3 49 2 4 6 40 -- -- -- -- --
2003-04 Sodertalje Swe-J20 16 3 4 7 18 2 0 0 0 0
    Swe 42 1 0 1 12 -- -- -- -- --
2004-05 Huddinge Swe-2 24 4 7 11 36 -- -- -- -- --
  Sodertalje Swe 15 0 0 0 4 1 0 0 0 0
2005-06 Sodertalje Swe-J20 1 0 0 0 2 -- -- -- -- --
  Almtuna Swe-2 19 2 3 5 44 -- -- -- -- --
  Sodertalje Swe-Superallsv -- -- -- -- -- 7 0 1 1 4
    Swe 24 0 0 0 20 -- -- -- -- --
2006-07 Grand Rapids AHL 67 5 24 29 102 7 0 0 0 8

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The next wave

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