Gustafsson Signed

Press Release

ARLINGTON, Va. – The Washington Capitals have signed center Anton Gustafsson, their first-round choice, 21st overall, in the 2008 Entry Draft, to a three-year entry-level contract, vice president and general manager George McPhee announced today. In keeping with club policy, financial terms of the deal were not disclosed.

Gustafsson, 19, is a 6’2”, 194-pound native of Karlskoga, Sweden, who spent most of this season with Bofors IK of Sweden’s HockeyAllsvenskan league, recording 10 points (six goals, four assists) in 25 games. He also played for his junior team, Frolunda, and recorded seven points (three goals, four assists) in five playoff games.

Gustafsson’s father, Bengt, played 629 games for Washington from 1979-89, recording 555 points (169 goals, 359 assists). He ranks fifth all-time in Capitals points and goals and sixth in assists.

Anton Gustafsson participated in the Capitals’ development camp last summer and the team’s rookie camp in September.

Anton Gustafsson
Position: Center
Height: 6’2” Weight: 194 Shoots: Left
Born: Feb. 25, 1990 (Karlskoga, Sweden)
Drafted: Capitals’ first-round choice, 21st overall, in the 2008 Entry Draft

(Nathan also is a writer for Maineiacs Post to Post and the Maine Hockey Journal. He can be reached at fourniern@students.nescom.edu)