Sweden’s Leo Carlsson, who was drafted second overall in the National Hockey League (NHL) last draft, signed a three-year contract with the Anaheim Ducks on Wednesday.
The 18-year-old Pivot will therefore start his entry-level contract in 2023-2024 after playing in Örebro, in his home country. Last season he led his league’s youth players with 25 points in 44 games. The forward helped his team reach the SHL semifinals by recording nine points in 13 playoff games. He was also voted SHL’s Most Outstanding Swedish Junior Ice Hockey Player.
Picked right after Connor Bedard by the Chicago Blackhawks, Carlsson had three goals and six assists in 35 games last season. At the last World Junior Championships, he picked up five points in eight appearances and maintained a +5 lead.