The SHL’s website’s Sixten Funqvist posted a superb article about Red Wings prospect and Farjestads BK defenseman Albert Johansson, who hopes to follow his father’s footsteps toward the NHL:
No matter who he plays with – during the season he’s been playing with Vojtech Mozik, Jonathon Blum and Sebastian Erixon – he always seem to know when to push forward, when to make the other team scramble. When to wreack havoc.
“It is part of my style of play to find spaces and to jump in on the attack. When you get the puck and you see the other team being out of sync – maybe they’ve done a line change or so – that kind of presents an opportunity” he says with the hint of a laugh. “I guess that’s it. I trust my instinct. But I do want to be an attacking D-man. I know how hard it is to face opponents where the D joins the rush and how difficult it is to defend when they come in as a second, or third, wave of attack.” he says.
He continues: “We kind of help eachother out. If my partner goes forward on one shift, I try to cover for him. Then, maybe in the next shift, I go forward.”
With three goals and four assists, including some nifty primary assists, Johansson has already exceeded his goal total from last season (2) and he is on his way to beat his point total from last year as well (13). And he is somewhat satisified with his play so far:
“I think it’s gone pretty well. I’ve taken some strides from last season and that was my goal entering this season” he says. And the numbers show that coach Johan Pennerborn has confidence in the 19-year-old, who is now averaging 15:59 minutes of ice time per game, compared to 12:56 minutes last season.
Continued; Johansson will play for Sweden at the World Junior Championship.