Latest news with #Karlsson
Vancouver Sun
5 days ago
- Sport
- Vancouver Sun
Canucks: How Linus Karlsson answered leadership challenge in Abbotsford
Linus Karlsson was challenged this AHL season to be a leader for the Abbotsford Canucks . The directive came from rookie head coach Manny Malhotra, who believed the Swedish winger could lead by example to motivate a group of younger prospects. It paid off handsomely both individually and collectively. The Vancouver Canucks ' affiliate used a franchise best 44-24-0-4 record as a springboard for postseason success and its first best-of-seven Western Conference final series appearance against the Texas Stars. It opens Thursday at the Abbotsford Centre. Karlsson turned 23 goals in 32 regular-season AHL games into seven playoff goals in 12 outings, which is tied for the league lead. It was just another example of Malhotra pressing all the right motivation buttons. Start your day with a roundup of B.C.-focused news and opinion. By signing up you consent to receive the above newsletter from Postmedia Network Inc. A welcome email is on its way. If you don't see it, please check your junk folder. The next issue of Sunrise will soon be in your inbox. Please try again Interested in more newsletters? Browse here. 'He's pushing me to be more of a leader and that's helping me more in my game,' the 25-year-old Swedish winger told Postmedia. 'Make sure I'm on guys, set screens, be around the net and be good defensively.' If that isn't enough, getting master-class tutelage from Henrik and Daniel Sedin allowed Karlsson to improve pace and net presence at the NHL level to look like a roster mainstay for the parent Canucks next season. Following a breakout AHL campaign in 2023-24 with 60 points (23-37) in 60 games, he still had to get more dialled on the details. 'Both Daniel and Hank have been incredible ever since I came here,' stressed Karlsson, who signed a one-year $775,000 US extension March 14 and won't be waiver exempt in 2025-26. 'I was more of a half-wall guy, and the power play and working down low have been a good fit. 'And that's where Daniel and Hank have been good with details around the net, tips, and finding the soft areas. That's where I will grow the most.' Karlsson scored twice Monday in a 5-0 series-clinching road win over the Colorado Eagles to advance to the conference final. He opened scoring on the power play late in the first period by taking a cross-ice feed in the high slot, fending off a defender, and picking the high far side with a snap shot. He then gave Abbotsford a four-goal cushion early in the third period by taking a drop pass at pace, trying to get a shot through a defender, and then battling the blueliner for puck possession before jamming it home. It was tenacity and finish leadership by example. Maybe we can dial this leadership dynamic back to Karlsson's sensational SHL rookie season with Skelleftea AIK. On a veteran-laden team, he struck for seven goals in his first 12 games and eclipsed Elias Pettersson 's first-year mark with 26 goals in 52 games. 'I'm not surprised,' Karlsson said at the time. 'I know I've got it in me. It was fun. I've played against men for a long time, so it was new for me.' Karlsson's career trajectory was altered in a trade with the San Jose Sharks, who selected the winger in the third round of the 2018 NHL Draft. It was called a 'lateral move' by Canucks management, but turned into a smart transaction. When winger Jonathan Dahlen wanted out, Karlsson couldn't wait to get in. Dahlen was a 2016 second-round draft pick by the Ottawa Senators and acquired by the Canucks in a swap for Alex Burrows. Karlsson was selected by the Sharks in third round of the 2018 NHL draft, but his potential intrigued the Canucks. Dahlen's sole NHL season in 2021-22 amounted to 22 points (12-10) and a minus-25 rating in 61 games before returning to Timra IK of the SHL. Fast forward and the ask of Karlsson to play an Abbotsford motivation role was significant because it usually falls upon veterans, like grinding wingers Sammy Blais and Phil Di Giuseppe. Their hockey odometers speak to the been-there-done-that drive to keep careers alive and leading by example. Blais, 28, has logged 257 regular-season NHL games with the Blues and New York Rangers, and he won a Stanley Cup with the Blues in 2019. However, he couldn't turn a professional tryout with the Canucks this season into an NHL roster spot. He was released, but instead of pouting, he pivoted. Blais had 14 goals in 51 AHL games and that was trumped by leading Abbotsford in playoff scoring. He has 11 points (3-8) in a dozen games and all three goals have come on the power play. His points-per-game average of 0.92 leads all playoff performers. Karlsson is second at 0.83 on 10 points (7-3). Blais also leads in penalty minutes with 65, something he must curb in the conference final. Di Giuseppe, 31, has logged 302 NHL regular-season games with the Carolina Hurricanes, Nashville Predators, Rangers and Canucks. He split this season between Vancouver and Abbotsford after clearing waivers. After just six points (1-5) with the parent Canucks in 20 games, he had nine points (4-5) in 22 AHL games. However, like Blais, he found another gear in the postseason with eight points (5-3) in 12 games. OVERTIME — The Stars have plenty of pop with Justin Hryckowian leading playoff scoring with 15 points (7-8) in eight games, including three power-play goals. Former Canucks winger Kole Lind is tied for fifth with 11 points (6-5) and has connected twice with the man advantage. Texas is fourth in power-play percentage at 23.1, while Abbotsford ranks fifth at 21.6. bkuzma@
Edmonton Journal
5 days ago
- Sport
- Edmonton Journal
Canucks: How Linus Karlsson answered leadership challenge in Abbotsford
Article content Karlsson turned 23 goals in 32 regular-season AHL games into seven playoff goals in 12 outings, which is tied for the league lead. It was just another example of Malhotra pressing all the right motivation buttons. 'He's pushing me to be more of a leader and that's helping me more in my game,' the 25-year-old Swedish winger told Postmedia. 'Make sure I'm on guys, set screens, be around the net and be good defensively.' If that isn't enough, getting master-class tutelage from Henrik and Daniel Sedin allowed Karlsson to improve pace and net presence at the NHL level to look like a roster mainstay for the parent Canucks next season. Following a breakout AHL campaign in 2023-24 with 60 points (23-37) in 60 games, he still had to get more dialled on the details. 'Both Daniel and Hank have been incredible ever since I came here,' stressed Karlsson, who signed a one-year $775,000 US extension March 14 and won't be waiver exempt in 2025-26. 'I was more of a half-wall guy, and the power play and working down low have been a good fit.
Yahoo
23-05-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Calle Karlsson Commits To Niagara
Rochester Jr. Americans forward Calle Karlsson has committed to Niagara, it was announced on Thursday. A native of Oskarshamn, Sweden, Karlsson led the Americans in scoring during the 2024-25 season, where he tallied 75 points (31 goals, 42 assists) in 59 regular season games. A 2004-born skater, Karlsson will make the jump to the NCAA and join the Purple Eagles for the 2025-26 season and provide depth to Niagara's forward group. Make sure you bookmark The Hockey News' NCAA Page for the latest news, exclusive interviews, breakdowns and so much more.
Fox Sports
15-05-2025
- Fox Sports
Swedish ski star Frida Karlsson says she stood up for women in stalker case
Associated Press STOCKHOLM (AP) — Frida Karlsson, a Swedish cross-country skiing world champion, said she was standing up for women by bringing the issue of stalking into the public gaze after being 'victimized' by a man in an ordeal lasting more than a year. A man in his 60s was given a suspended sentence and ordered to pay 40,000 kronor ($4,100) in damages after being convicted of stalking Karlsson for a year and four months, according to Swedish news agency TT. According to the indictment, the man called Karlsson 207 times, left her voicemails and text messages and approached her, including outside her apartment, TT reported. More than 7,000 pictures were found on the man's phone, most of them of Karlsson. The 25-year-old Karlsson, who was a team bronze medalist at the 2022 Beijing Olympics and has just won her first individual world championship title, spoke about her stalking case for the first time this week while at a training camp for Sweden's winter athletes in the Greek island of Crete. 'This particular issue of stalking is something that affects many people and that was one of the reasons we reported this to the police,' Karlsson said at a news conference. 'It affects more than just public figures. It's mainly women who are being victimized and that's also why I'm doing this now.' Karlsson was glad to have gone through the trial and 'had my say.' 'Everyone should speak up when something is wrong and when someone crosses the line,' she added. 'And I hope that everyone who is victimized does so.' In February, a man who was found guilty of stalking U.S. Open tennis champion Emma Raducanu was given a five-year restraining order. He also was sentenced to an 18-month community service order that includes 200 hours of unpaid work. In Karlsson's case, both parties have appealed the verdict. The prosecutor, Christina Edlund Nilsson, wants to see the man go to prison. Karlsson is hoping the man gets 'the punishment he deserves.' 'Then it could possibly set a kind of standard, not only for me but for everyone else who is victimized as well." ___ AP sports: in this topic
Washington Post
15-05-2025
- Washington Post
Swedish ski star Frida Karlsson says she stood up for women in stalker case
STOCKHOLM — Frida Karlsson, a Swedish cross-country skiing world champion, said she was standing up for women by bringing the issue of stalking into the public gaze after being 'victimized' by a man in an ordeal lasting more than a year. A man in his 60s was given a suspended sentence and ordered to pay 40,000 kronor ($4,100) in damages after being convicted of stalking Karlsson for a year and four months, according to Swedish news agency TT.
