Red Wings 2022 draft pick Anton Johansson, the 105th overall pick in the 2022 draft, spoke with Hockeysverige.se’s Ronnie Ronnqvist recently. Here’s a rough translation of their conversation:
Anton Johansson has been drafted by Detroit: “Kronwall said congratulations”
Anton Johansson was one of the Swedes that was picked in the 2022 NHL Draft. He now tells Hockeysverige.se about the excitement of being picked by the Detroit Red Wings.
“It felt incredible, and I was probably in shock for a while,” says the 18-year-old.
LEKSAND (Hockeysverige.se)
No less than three players from Djurgarden, Jonathan Lekkerimaki, Liam Ohgren and Noah Ostlund, were picked in the first round of the draft. Additionally, in the fourth round, another player who has played many seasons with Djurgarden, but who now earns his hockey education with Leksand, was picked: Anton Johansson.
“I had spoken a lot with Arizona and Montreal. They called a week or so before the draft and asked some simple questions,” says Anton Johansson when Hockeysverige.se meets him for an interview during Leksand’s famous hockey school.
“On the other hand, I didn’t see Detroit coming, but it feels incredibly good to join such a Swedish team.”
How did you follow the draft?
“I was sitting home on the couch and watched it on TV with my family. I watched the first round, and also the rest, until I was picked.”
Did you expect to possibly be picked in the first round?
“No, not really. I checked it to see when the guys [from Djurgarden] would go. Especially Liam [Ohgren]. I sat and waited for him to be selected, but then I went to bed.”
“Djurgarden has done well, having three players picked in the first round, but I think that Sodertalje also did that with Jonathan, Noah and Calle (Odelius).”
Greetings from an icon
Not it wasn’t Arizona nor Montreal that picked Johansson, but instead, Detroit.
“It felt incredible, and I probably ended up in shock for a while. I don’t think I really understood what happened.”
“It was incredibly powerful when Niklas Kronwall called a few minutes after it happened. I never thought it would happen, but it was incredibly cool.”
“Kronwall said ‘congratulations’ and that he would come here to Leksand in August so we could have lunch and talk for a bit.”
What do you know about Detroit’s organization?
“That it’s incredibly well-known among Swedes, but is in a ‘rebuild’ now and really wants to invest [in young players].”
Have you ever played with Lucas Raymond?
“No, never.”
Contact with Rogle talents
How have you followed his successful season in Detroit?
“It was mostly through what I’ve seen on social media, and stuff like that. He’s had success and is an incredibly good hockey player. He deserves to be where he is.”
One player that the Leksand defenseman has had some contact with after the draft is the Austrian Marco Kasper. He played for Rogle this past season, and was picked in the first round by Detroit.
“Marco Kasper and I have written a little bit to each other. He was selected by Detroit as the 8th overall pick. I don’t know him, but we’re getting to know each other now,” says Anton Johansson with a smile, and he continues:
“I wrote ‘congratulations’ to him and he wrote ‘congratulations’ back. And then I asked how the rookie camp went and a bit like that.”
You chose not to go over to the summer development camp yourself, why did that happen?
“I felt it was more important to be at home and train, but also to not have to feel the stress of going over. I didn’t want that stress.”
“The camp started the day after the draft, and both I and Detroit felt that it was not an idea that I should pack my stuff and get there with the jet-team and take part in a tough camp. We will have to figure it out in some way later this year. Otherwise, I’ll have to go next summer.”
Your brother, Simon, is going to Minnesota. What did he say when Detroit picked you?
“He’s incredibly proud. We wish each other success and are proud of each other. I really hope that he can take a spot in Minnesota.”
What did your father Thomas, and mother, Camilla, say when it was certain where you ended up?
“Mom and dad are of course also incredibly proud, and very happy that I ended up with Detroit. It’s still a Swedish team,” Anton Johansson concludes, before he has to take on a big group of young players who yearn to take part in the hockey training at Leksand’s hockey school.
