Red Wings sign Albert Johansson to entry-level deal

DETROIT - The Detroit Red Wings today signed defenseman Albert Johansson to a three-year entry-level contract

Johansson, 19, was one of the most productive young defensemen in Sweden's top professional league in 2019-20, posting 13 points (2-11-13) in 42 Swedish Hockey League games with Farjestad BK. He was the third-highest scoring junior-aged defenseman in the league and was tied for eighth among all players under age 20 in points as a first-year pro. Johansson logged five points (0-5-5) in his final four games of the season, as the SHL canceled its season just prior to the start of postseason play. The 6-foot, 168-pound defenseman played for Farjestad's under-20 team at the beginning of the season, notching five points (3-2-5) to tie for second on the team in goals by a defenseman despite skating in only nine games. He also represented Sweden at the under-19 Five Nations Tournament held in Germany in February, producing three points (1-2-3) and a team-best plus-five rating in four games.

Originally drafted by the Red Wings in the second round (60th overall) of the 2019 NHL Entry Draft, Johansson previously played for Farjestad's junior teams before making his professional debut with three games for the senior team in 2018-19. He also appeared in 40 games for Farjestad's under-20 club in his draft season, ranking second on the team and third among the league's defensemen with 29 points (5-24-29), alongside a plus-10 rating and 63 penalty minutes. The Karlstad, Sweden, native has totaled 38 points (9-29-38) and 79 penalty minutes at the under-20 level and 36 points (14-22-36) and 14 penalty minutes on the under-18 circuit. Internationally, Johansson owns two medals with Sweden, earning silver at the 2018 Hlinka Gretzky Cup and winning gold at the 2019 IIHF World Under-18 Championship. He is the son of former NHL defenseman Roger Johansson, who skated in 161 NHL games with Calgary (1989-93) and Chicago (1994-95).

Albert Johansson, Defenseman

Born Jan 4 2001

Height 6.00 -- Weight 168 -- Shoots L

Selected by Detroit Red Wings round 2 #60 overall 2019 NHL Entry Draft