Jets Defensive Prospect Puts Up Positive Results In First Professional Season; Tougher Challenges Await Next Season
Alfons Freij / NHL.com
Winnipeg Jets defensive prospect Alfons Freij completed his first season of professional hockey, putting up positive results.
The 19-year-old scored two goals and added eight points in 29 games for IF Björklöven in HockeyAllsvenskan, Sweden's second-tier league. HockeyAllsvenskan has proved to be a great league for developing young prospects.
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Freij will make his SHL debut next season, playing with Timrå IK, a team featuring several NHL-affiliated prospects and former NHLer Magnus Pääjärvi.
The Jets selected Freij with the 37th overall pick in the 2024 NHL Draft. The second-round pick was the first selection made by the Jets, and the Jets were given plenty of praise for the selection. Listed at 6'1, 196 lbs, Freij is a wonderful skater with strong offensive instincts. He's known for his playmaking ability, and he's beginning to round out his defensive game.
His excellent skating is highlighted by both the speed he generates, but also his edge work. He can distribute his weight onto either foot, which makes him a handful for forwards to cover when engaging on the forecheck or trying to defend him at their blue line. His skating and frame should allow him to continue to develop defensively while maintaining his outstanding transition ability.
Freij was left off of Sweden's World Junior team this season but will likely play a large role at this year's event. With Axel Sandin-Pellikka, Tom Willander, Theo Lindstein, and Rasmus Bergqvist all aging out of the tournament, roster spots are open for the taking, and Freij looks prepared to take over.
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Although he is still 2-3 years away from fighting for a roster spot on the Jets, Freij is trending in the right direction. Another season or two playing in the SHL will be great for his development before he transitions to North American professional hockey with the Manitoba Moose in the AHL, following a similar path to Elias Salomonsson, who looks poised to crack the Jets roster sometime soon.
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