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JESPER SAMUELSSON
Jesper Samuelsson
Position: Center
Shoots: Left
Vitals: 5'11'' / 170 lbs.
Birthdate: June 13, 1988
Hometown: Stockholm, Sweden
Acquired: Detroit's sixth choice (211th overall) in the 2008 draft
CSS Ranking: Not Ranked
Contract: None (must sign by June 1, 2010)
RWC Says: Skilled Playmaker

STORIES

AWARDS
None Listed

HISTORY
2006-07:
  • Had a breakthrough year at age 18 with Hasten at Sweden's third level (36-15-29-44).
  • Passed over in NHL entry draft for a second straight year in June.
2007-08:
  • Made significant offensive gains as a 19-year-old with Hasten at Sweden's third level (40-20-42-62).
  • Led Hasten and the club's 10-team division in scoring.
  • Production slipped in second half after arrival of new coach at mid-season.
  • On his third time through the NHL draft, went to Detroit with the last pick (211th overall) in June.
  • Signed with Timra of the Swedish Elite League in off-season.

SCOUT COMMENTS
"No. 1 skill is by far hockey sense. Very good setup guy. In (Sweden's third-tier league) a lot of players are not that great, including who he played with. If he had played with a good winger he could have had another 30 points. There were times he'd make plays and his winger wasn't even close to being ready for the puck. He'd be looking somewhere else with his stick up in the air and there was the puck, in front of him, and the net was open, and he'd get all surprised. Skating is fine, hands are good, obviously has to fill out." — Red Wings director of European scouting Hakan Andersson (June 2008).

STRENGTHS
Great mind for the game that can't be taught ... Primarily a set-up man who will work well with a tough, scoring winger ... Does plenty of damage when he has time and space on the power play ... Has shown flashes of good skating and puck skills early in his career.

WEAKNESSES
Extremely slight and had trouble gaining weight before being drafted because of gluten intolerance ... Wildcard pick because he played in a mediocre league against weak competition, and true test will come when he faces the strength and pace of the Swedish Elite League.

PROJECTION
A player by the name of Fabian Brunnstrom went from an unknown at Sweden's third level to the Swedish Elite League and became one of hockey's most coveted prospects overnight. The Red Wings are hoping for a similar leap from Samuelsson, who the Red Wings uncovered playing for the same rarely-scouted club that produced Jonathan Ericsson. He will try his luck with Timra of the Swedish Elite League in 2008-09 as the Red Wings try to defy the odds with another late-round steal.

STATISTICS
  REGULAR SEASON PLAYOFFS
SEASON TEAM LEAGUE GP G A PTS PIM GP G A PTS PIM
2004-05 Hasten Swe-3 1 0 0 0 0 -- -- -- -- --
2005-06 Hasten Swe-3 36 8 11 19 67 -- -- -- -- --
2006-07 Hasten Swe-3 36 15 29 44 38 -- -- -- -- --
2007-08 Hasten Swe-3 40 20 42 62 73 -- -- -- -- --

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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 »