Red Wings goaltending prospect Jesper Eliasson is taking part in the World Junior Summer Showcase in Plymouth, MI this week, and the Detroit News’s Mike Falkner posted a profile of Eliasson:
A third-round pick by the Wings in the 2018 NHL Draft, Eliasson wants to help the national team improve on last year’s disappointing performance at the world championship in Vancouver.
The team failed to medal and lost in the quarterfinals, 2-0, to Switzerland. This year’s tournament is in the Czech Republic from Dec. 26-Jan. 5.
“I’ve always dreamed of playing in the world junior championship,” said Eliasson, who posted a 2.43 goals against average and .919 save percentage with the Vaxjo Lakers in Sweden’s SuperElit League last year.
Sweden’s U20 national coach Tomas Monten said Eliasson has made big strides from last year and will keep an eye on his development.
“He had a really good year last year and he was in the mix to make our team,” Monten said. “He’s a big kid and should do well playing at the second-pro level this year.”
