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GUSTAV NYQUIST
Gustav Nyquist
Position: Left Wing
Shoots: Left
Vitals: 5'11'' / 170 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: Tow-Way Forward

STORIES

AWARDS
  • 2008-09 Hockey East rookie of the month (December)
  • 2008-09 Hockey East All-Rookie Team

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.
2008-09:
  • Broke into NCAA ranks with Maine and had a fantastic freshman season (38-13-19-32).
  • Arguably the best overall player on a team that struggled, going 13-22-4.
  • Finished 13th in Hockey East scoring, second in rookie scoring and first in rookie goals.
  • Led Maine with 117 shots (nobody else had more than 83) and was a minus-1.
  • Earned spot on Hockey East all-rookie team but missed rookie of the year to goalie Kieran Millan.

SCOUT COMMENTS
"His best assets are either his smartness and his work ethic. They really go together. He's not physical 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) ... "He plays both ends of the ice. He has the skill to be a second-line guy, but the ability to be the complementary third-line guy who is willing to back-check and play in the hard areas. If you have a skilled guy like him that plays on your third line, that's going to be a good thing." — Red Wings scout Mark Leach (January 2009).

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 ... Continues to blossom offensively, showing increasing capability as both a finisher and a playmaker.

WEAKNESSES
Doesn't make any kind of a physical impact ... Has performed admirably in the college ranks despite small, slight stature, but needs more strength for the pros.

PROJECTION
Nyquist didn't blink at the transition from Sweden's junior ranks to the NCAA. He had a fantastic freshman season and could be due for an even better sophomore campaign as he works toward a contract with the Red Wings. He's a mid-round gem who has the tools to be a solid two-way NHL forward.

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
2008-09 Maine NCAA 38 13 19 32 28 -- -- -- -- --

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The next wave

RWC's top 10 prospects (2009-10 preliminary)
01 F Tomas Tatar » Grand Rapids (AHL)
02 D Jakub Kindl » Grand Rapids (AHL)
03 D Brendan Smith » Wisconsin (NCAA)
04 G Thomas McCollum » Grand Rapids (AHL)
05 F Gustav Nyquist » Maine (NCAA)
06 F Landon Ferraro » Red Deer (WHL)
07 F Jan Mursak » Grand Rapids (AHL)
08 F Cory Emmerton » Grand Rapids (AHL)
09 F Joakim Andersson » Frolunda (SEL)
10 F Mattias Ritola » Grand Rapids (AHL)
» COMPLETE RANKING »