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GUSTAV NYQUIST
Gustav Nyquist
Position: Left Wing
Shoots: Left
Vitals: 5'11'' / 175 lbs.
Birthdate: September 1, 1989
Hometown: Halmstad, Sweden
Acquired: Detroit's third choice (121st overall) in the 2008 draft
CSS Ranking: Not Ranked
Contract: None (must sign by Aug. 15, 2012)
RWC Says: Second-Line Forward

STORIES

AWARDS
None Listed

HISTORY
2006-07:
  • Productive year with Malmo at Sweden's top junior level (42-21-23-44) didn't get him drafted.
2007-08:
  • High-level production continued with Malmo at Sweden's top junior level (24-11-20-31).
  • Missed six weeks with a mid-season shoulder injury.
  • Saw action with Swedish junior national teams, although not at major tournaments.
  • Committed to play NCAA hockey at the University of Maine starting in 2008-09.
  • Selected by Detroit in the fourth round (121st overall) in his second run through the NHL draft.

SCOUT COMMENTS
"His best assets are either his smartness and his work ethic. They really go together. He's not physical by any means, but he's very intense. When he loses the puck, he chases like crazy to get it back, and when he has the puck, his feet are always moving. If he makes it, he should be at least a second or third line player." — Red Wings director of European scouting Hakan Andersson (June 2008).

STRENGTHS
Outstanding two-way hockey sense ... Extremely hard worker ... Intense ... Persistent and diligent in puck pursuit ... Capable of stripping an opponent of the puck ... Effective penalty killer ... Always moves his feet ... Pushes the pace offensively and doesn't give up on plays ... Has shown upside as a finisher and a playmaker at the J-20 SuperElite level in Sweden.

WEAKNESSES
Doesn't make any kind of a physical impact ... Small and far too slight ... Needs to prove his scoring prowess beyond the Swedish junior ranks, and will face a difficult challenge against older, stronger college players ... Lacks high-end skating ability.

PROJECTION
It's rare for a Swede to leave home to play NCAA hockey, but that's exactly what Nyquist is doing as he heads to the University of Maine for the 2008-09 season. He put up big numbers at the junior level in Sweden, and Black Bears head coach Tim Whitehead has high hopes for him as a freshman. The Red Wings hope they've found another undersized European mid-round gem.

STATISTICS
  REGULAR SEASON PLAYOFFS
SEASON TEAM LEAGUE GP G A PTS PIM GP G A PTS PIM
2005-06 Malmo Swe-J18 14 9 3 12 10 6 1 3 4 0
2006-07 Malmo Swe-J20 42 21 23 44 57 4 2 2 4 6
2007-08 Malmo Swe-J20 24 11 20 31 20 7 5 5 10 6

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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 »