Johan Larsson (ice hockey, born 1992)

Johan Larsson
Larsson in April 2016.
Born	July 25, 1992 Lau, SWE
Height	5 ft 11 in (180 cm)
Weight	206 lb (93 kg; 14 st 10 lb)
Position	Left Wing
Shoots	Left
NHL team Former teams	Buffalo Sabres Brynäs IF Minnesota Wild
National team	Sweden
NHL Draft	56th overall, 2010 Minnesota Wild
Playing career	2010–present

Johan Oskar Torgny Larsson (born July 25, 1992) is a Swedish professional ice hockey forward, currently with the Buffalo Sabres of the National Hockey League (NHL).

Playing career

Larsson in May 2013.

Larsson was drafted in the second round as 56th overall by the Minnesota Wild of the National Hockey League (NHL) in the 2010 NHL Entry Draft. The same year, Larsson was also drafted in the fifth round of the 2010 KHL Junior Draft, as 111th overall, by the Metallurg Novokuznetsk.

Larsson made his Elitserien (SHL) debut on September 16, 2010, against Modo Hockey.^[1] A week later, on September 23, against Djurgårdens IF, he recorded his first Elitserien point, being the second assist in a goal, tying the game 2–2.^[2][3] His first Elitserien goal was scored on January 15, 2011, against goaltender Joacim Eriksson of Skellefteå AIK.^[4]

On October 1, 2010, Larsson signed a two-year contract with Brynäs IF's elite team, which expired after the 2011–12 Elitserien season.^[5] Larsson's seven goals and 15 assists in the first 29 games of the 2011–12 season led to a nomination for that season's Elitserien Rookie of the Year award.^[6] He would then win the award.^[7] With 9 points in 16 playoff games, his team went on to win the Swedish Championship that year.

On May 18, 2011, Larsson signed a three-year contract with the Minnesota Wild of the National Hockey League (NHL), but was loaned to Brynäs for the 2011–12 season.^[8]

With the intention to pursue his NHL career, Larsson relocated to North America, and was directly assigned to the Wild's AHL affiliate, the Houston Aeros, to begin the 2012–13 season due to the lockout. Larsson was recalled to the Wild during the shortened season as an injury replacement and made his NHL debut against the Detroit Red Wings on February 17, 2013.^[9]

On April 3, 2013, at the trade deadline, Larsson was acquired by the Buffalo Sabres along with goaltender Matt Hackett, a 1st round pick in 2013, and a 2nd round pick in 2014 from the Minnesota Wild in exchange for Jason Pominville and a 4th round pick in 2014.^[10]

International play

Larsson celebrates after winning the 2012 World Junior Hockey Championship
Medal record
Representing  Sweden
Ice hockey
World Junior Championships
	2012 Calgary
IIHF U18 Championships
	2010 Minsk

Larsson has on several occasions participated in Sweden's national teams, including the junior teams as well as the senior team. In the 2010 World U18 Championships, Larsson and his Sweden were placed second after the United States, losing the final against them.

On March 30, 2011, Larsson made his senior national team debut in an exhibition game against Latvia which ended 4–1 in Sweden's favour.^[11] In the 2012 World J20 Championships, he was the captain when Sweden won their first J20 gold medal since 1981, their second overall.

Career statistics

Regular season and playoffs

				Regular season						Playoffs
Season	Team	League		GP	G	A	Pts	PIM		GP	G	A	Pts	PIM
2008–09	Brynäs IF	J20		33	4	5	9	55		5	0	0	0	2
2009–10	Brynäs IF	J20		40	15	19	34	80		5	1	1	2	2
2010–11	Brynäs IF	SEL		43	4	4	8	18		5	0	2	2	4
2011–12	Brynäs IF	SEL		49	12	24	36	34		16	2	7	9	16
2012–13	Houston Aeros	AHL		62	15	22	37	38		—	—	—	—	—
2012–13	Minnesota Wild	NHL		1	0	0	0	0		—	—	—	—	—
2012–13	Rochester Americans	AHL		7	1	3	4	2		3	0	3	3	6
2013–14	Buffalo Sabres	NHL		28	0	4	4	19		—	—	—	—	—
2013–14	Rochester Americans	AHL		51	15	26	41	75		5	1	2	3	4
2014–15	Rochester Americans	AHL		44	15	25	40	38		—	—	—	—	—
2014–15	Buffalo Sabres	NHL		39	6	10	16	12		—	—	—	—	—
2015–16	Buffalo Sabres	NHL		74	10	7	17	27		—	—	—	—	—
NHL totals				142	16	21	37	58		—	—	—	—	—

International

Year	Team	Event	Result		GP	G	A	Pts	PIM
2010	Sweden	WJC18			5	6	8	14	0
2011	Sweden	WJC	4th		6	1	3	4	4
2012	Sweden	WJC			6	0	6	6	0
2012	Sweden	WC	6th		7	0	2	2	0
Junior totals					17	7	17	24	4
Senior totals					7	0	2	2	0

Awards and honours

Award	Year
IIHF World U18 Championships First Team All-Star[12]	2010

References

1. "Hockeyligan game statistics for Brynäs IF – Modo Hockey". Hockeyligan.se. Retrieved 2010-09-24.
2. "Hockeyligan game statistics for Brynäs IF – Djurgårdens IF". Hockeyligan.se. Retrieved 2010-09-24.
3. "Första poängen för Larsson" (in Swedish). Gotlands Tidningar. 2010-09-24. Retrieved 2010-09-24.
4. "Hockeyligan game statistics for Brynäs IF – Skellefteå AIK". Hockeyligan.se. Retrieved 2011-07-31.
5. "A-lagskontrakt för Johan Larsson" (in Swedish). Brynäs IF. 2010-10-01. Retrieved 2010-10-02.
6. "Johan Larsson årets rookiekandidat" (in Swedish). Swedish Ice Hockey Association. 9 December 2011.
7. "Johan Larsson är Årets Rookie 2011/2012" (in Swedish). Swedish Hockey League. 10 April 2012.
8. Forsgren, Björn (2011-05-19). "Brynästalangen får NHL-kontrakt". Aftonbladet (in Swedish). Retrieved 2011-05-19.
9. "Wild own second period to down Red Wings". CBS Sports. 2013-02-17. Retrieved 2013-02-17.
10. "Pominville's departure signals overhaul for Sabres". National Hockey League. 2013-04-03. Retrieved 2013-04-03.
11. Fridén, Carl-Henrik (2011-03-31). "Johan Larsson stabil i debuten". Helagotland.se (in Swedish). Retrieved 2012-01-07.
12. "First Team All Star IIHF". Eliteprospects.com. 2010-02-03. Retrieved 2012-03-04.

External links

• Johan Larsson's career statistics at EliteProspects.com
• Johan Larsson's career statistics at The Internet Hockey Database
• Johan Larsson profile at Eurohockey.com