With defense being a major point of focus heading into the next season, many Sharks fans have been looking towards the young defensive talent already within the organization. However, since he has spent the past few years playing overseas, one talented left-handed defenseman has seemingly lost the focus of fans: Leo Sahlin-Wallenius. However, fans should pay close attention to the 20-year-old as he will likely become a familiar name/face in the coming season.
Sahlin-Wallenius has a long track record of success, impressing on every level he’s played in. Back in the 2022-2023 season, he was dominating for Växjö Lakers HC J18 scoring an amazing 15 points (7G, 8A) and +16 in only 16 games in the J18 (South) Region, with his seven goals leading defensemen in the league. His team then qualified for J18 Nationell, where he recorded two assists and +3 in four games plus 3 points (1G, 2A) in three playoff games.
With the J18 not being a high enough level of competition for him, Sahlin-Wallenius made the jump to the Växjö Lakers HC J20 Nationell team. In 30 regular season games played, he was solid with 8 points (2G, 6A). Although he recorded no points, he was a fixture in the three games he played in the playoffs with the club. That season he’d also represent Sweden in the U17 International Games, putting up 9 points (3G, 6A) in 14 games. Continuing to represent Sweden, this time in the Hlinka Gretzky Cup to showcase his skills ahead of his draft season, Sahlin-Wallenius sustained his blue and gold domination. In the four games he played in the Hlinka Gretzky Cup, Leo Sahlin-Wallenius scored 5 points (1G, 4A).
Following a strong appearance in the Hlinka Gretzky Cup, Sahlin-Wallenius returned to Växjö J18 for a short period of time. He played just three games in the J18 Region, scoring an assist, and no regular season games in J18 Nationell. However, he would play four playoff games and record six assists. Most of his season, though, was spent wearing the “A” playing at a higher level with Växjö J20. In his 43 games, Sahlin-Wallenius amazed with 42 points (11G, 31A) and +20. He continued production in the playoffs recording three assists in five games. His performance was so outstanding he was named to the J20 elite “Top” division. His 31 assists were the most overall assists by any defensemen in the league, he had the most assists by a defenseman in both J20 (South) and Top, most overall points by a defenseman in J20 Top, and was named the J20 Nationell best defenseman.
Throughout this season, Sahlin-Wallenius would suit up for Sweden another three times: wearing the “A” in the World Junior Championship U18, the World Junior A Challenge, and the U18 International Games. In the World Junior Championship U18, he recorded three assists in seven games. He was even more impressive in the World Junior A Challenge in a performance that would earn him a spot on the All-Star Team, notching 4 points (2G, 2A) in six games. In 28 games in the International Games, Sahlin-Wallenius put up an incredible 25 points (9G, 16A) and +16. With so much success and accolades in a single season, the San Jose Sharks caught wind of him and drafted him 53rd overall in the 2024 NHL Draft. A draft that would also include Macklin Celebrini (first overall), Sam Dickinson (11th overall), and Igor Chernyshov (33rd overall).
Heading back to Växjö J20 Nationell drafted into the NHL, Leo Sahlin-Wallenius was a commanding presence with an outstanding 14 points (3G, 11A) and +4 in only eight games. Having outgrown the level of J20, Sahlin-Wallenius got the call to the SHL (Sweden’s professional hockey league) Växjö Lakers where he notched 5 points (1G, 4A) in 16 games. Having made a name for himself, Sahlin-Wallenius became a hot-commodity. Växjö loaned him to HockeyAllsvenskan (the SHL’s version of the AHL) Nybro Vikings IF for 14 games where he scored 6 points (1G, 5A). He was then once again loaned, this time to Liiga’s TPS, for seven games recording 3 points (1G, 2A).
Once again dawning the Tre Kronor, Sahlin-Wallenius led Sweden wearing the “C” for the U19 International Games. In the U19 games, he tallied 5 points (1G, 4A) in three games. He also joined Sweden for the U20 International Games, again showing his prowess on the international stage. In seven games he recorded two assists. In April 2025, the Sharks locked him down in an entry level contract (which expires at the conclusion of the 2028-2029 season).
This past season, Sahlin-Wallenius continued his rampage. Loaned to the SHL by the Sharks, Leo Sahlin-Wallenius played 32 games for Växjö and put up 13 points (3G, 10A) and +3. He was instrumental in the playoffs, scoring 6 points (2G, 4A) in ten games. Midway through the season he yet again represented Sweden, this time wearing the “A” in the World Junior Championship U20 (alongside the Sharks’ second overall 2026 NHL Draft Pick: Ivar Stenberg). As per usual when representing his country, Sahlin-Wallenius was dominant in his gold medal run. In seven games, Sahlin-Wallenius helped lead Sweden to victory with 6 points (1G, 5A) and +6. He also stunned in the U20 International Games, recording 14 points (3G, 11A) in 13 games for Sweden. Following such a successful season, the San Jose Barracuda brought him over from Sweden for the playoffs. Although he ended up not playing, he’s going nowhere.
Leo Sahlin-Wallenius is an outstanding left-handed defenseman whose awareness and vision makes him especially unique. His ability to see the entire ice results in great puck movement and especially elusive skating as he frequently avoids being hit. These skills are incredibly valuable when joining/creating offensive rushes and holding down the blueline, things the Sharks especially understand the significance of. However, there are a number of left-handed defensemen in the organization. With Luca Cagnoni ready to make the jump, it’s unclear what Sahlin-Wallenius’ role may be. While he is someone with incredible value, and someone we will be hearing a lot of in the coming years, he’s only 20-years-old and may need to spend some time in the AHL before he can become a full-time NHL player. That being said, he’s definitely nearing the sweet spot of development where he can make the leap.
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