Blackhawks Prospect and Wolves Import Johan Mattsson Commits to Sudbury

Press Release

The Sudbury Wolves are pleased to announce Swedish import goaltender JOHAN MATTSSON has signed an OHL contract to play for the Sudbury Wolves this season.

MATTSSON, 19, arrived in Sudbury earlier this week with his agent, Todd Reynolds of Uptown Sports. MATTSSON arrived in Sudbury from New York where Mattsson was playing for SWEDEN’s U20 NATIONAL TEAM in a exhibition tournament at Lake Placid. MATTSSON was one of only two goaltenders that TEAM SWEDEN brought over to North America. MATTSSON is a heavy favourite to play for TEAM SWEDEN at the World Junior Championships in Alberta at Christmas.

MATTSSON, was recently drafted by the CHICAGO BLACK HAWKS in the 2011 NHL ENTRY DRAFT held in Minnesota. MATTSSON is a big goaltender that stands 6’4” and weighs in at 190 lbs. The Huddinge, Sweden native, led the SWEDISH SUPERELITE JUNIOR U20 LEAGUE in goaltending during the 2010-11 season with a .930 save percentage.

“We are relieved that Johan has arrived in Sudbury two weeks prior to Training Camp in order to become acclimatized to Canada and his new home here in Sudbury” notes Wolves’ President and General Manager Blaine Smith. “Johan is regarded as one of the top 19 year-old goaltenders in the world and our fans will enjoy watching him perform this season.”

“I am very happy and excited to be in Sudbury and play for the Wolves this season” notes MATTSSON. “I have heard nothing but good things about Sudbury and the hockey fans here. Sudbury is very similar to my hometown back in Sweden so I am very comfortable here.”

Mattsson (who speaks excellent English) has begun on-ice and off-ice work-outs with Wolves’ goaltending coach SCOTT MURRAY. MATTSSON is working-out at the RHP TRAINING CENTRE on Kelly Lake Road and looking to get stronger physically.

“I know that I need to get stronger and continue to build my upper and lower body strength” notes MATTSSON. Johan will be participating in the Wolves’ try-out camp Labour Day weekend and will then travel to the Chicago Black Hawks Rookie Camp to be held in Oshawa on September 8th.

(Nathan can be reached at fourniern@students.nescom.edu)