2014 NHL Draft Watch: Anton Karlsson
By Robert Nasso
Ed Mulholland-USA TODAY Sports
In anticipation of the Sharks’ 2014 NHL Draft selection, we will be highlighting the top 30 prospects over the next few weeks.
Name: Anton Karlsson
Position: Left Wing
Handedness: Left
Current Team: Frolunda J20 (SuperElit)
Jersey Number: 27
Height: 6’2″
Weight: 194 lbs.
Birthdate: 8/3/1996
Hometown: Lerum, Sweden
Unrelated to former Norris Trophy winner Erik Karlsson (OTT), Anton Karlsson is expected to be a top 10 pick in the upcoming draft. The Swede has 10 goals and 8 assists for 18 points through 22 GP so far this season. He is described as having a wicked wrist shot, as seen in this video:
Karlsson had a few comments about his own game:
"I am a player who loves to take the puck to the net and make the other team to lose their focus on the game. I use my shot a lot to find the net, and I am also a playmaker."
This past August, Karlsson was Team Sweden’s captain in the Ivan Hlinka Tournament, tallying 1 goal and 4 assists for 5 points in 4 GP. There are some other things he can do away from the puck:
"He’s quick and has a very good motor, he has a quick stride and loves chasing down the puck on the forecheck."
Karlsson was promoted to the U20 league because of his goal-scoring ability, and he stood out among OHL Exceptional Status players Connor McDavid and Aaron Ekblad at the Ivan Hlinka Tournament. Such high praise for the young Swede will make for an exciting NHL career.