Leo Carlsson was surprisingly second in the NHL draft.
Now he is celebrated in North America – for a special detail afterwards.
“An impressive young man,” writes journalist Eric Stephens.
That Connor Bedard would go first in tonight’s NHL draft was a given. It was almost as certain that Adam Fantilli would go second, and in Anaheim some fans had even already bought jerseys with Fantilli on the back. Let’s hope they can now get the money back.
Big bang
Bedard was very properly selected by the Chicago Blackhawks, but when the Anaheim Ducks stepped up to make the second pick in the draft, it was a Swedish name that was read out, and not Adam Fantilli. Leo Carlsson has had a huge breakthrough this season, when he dominated in the SHL and got the chance in Tre Kronor and in the WC. And last night the reward came.
Leo Carlsson became the sixth Swede in NHL history to be selected as the top two in the draft, and now joins Mats Sundin, Henrik Sedin, Victor Hedman, Gabriel Landeskog and Rasmus Dahlin in an exclusive company to say the least. But it is not only for his hockey qualities that Leo Carlsson is now celebrated in North America.
READ MORE: Giants: Leo Carlsson selected second(!) in the NHL draft – became the sixth Swede in history to go top 2
Praised for the detail
The journalists, especially those who cover the Ducks, pounced on Leo Carlsson afterwards – and were really impressed by his demeanor. Not least when he stutters, something that Carlsson didn’t let stop him.
“Just spoke to Leo Carlsson, and about him. An impressive young man. Eager to answer questions and fought through his stutters. He really embraces it,” writes The Athletic journalist Eric Stephens.
In addition, Stephens praises Carlsson’s qualities on the ice. In Anaheim, it has become a bit of a talking point that Carlsson played as a winger this season, but that he was primarily drafted to play center.
“The talk around the team is that Carlsson has the potential to become the organization’s future star center. He sees himself as a center as well, even though he has played as a wing,” he writes.
Leo Carlsson has previously spoken openly about his stuttering, and how he doesn’t let it stop him.
– It’s obvious that I do it, so why hide it? It is as it is. I have it, but I don’t care for it that much either. It’s still a part of me, I can’t do much about it. Speaking in front of the class was not fun, but I did it anyway, he has said.
READ MORE: The expert points out Erik Karlsson’s next NHL team – a huge move that makes the Swedes keep their fingers crossed