Wings signed Almqvist, a '09 draft pick

Press Release

DETROIT -- The Red Wings have signed defenseman Adam Almqvist to a three-year entry-level contact. As per club policy, no further details regarding this deal will be disclosed.

A native of Jönköping, Sweden, Almqvist was originally selected by Detroit in the seventh round (210th overall) of the 2009 NHL Entry Draft. The 20-year-old blue-liner has spent the past two seasons in the Swedish Elite League where he has recorded 24 points (2G-22A) in addition to a +31 rating and 42 penalty minutes in 80 games played for HV71, a talent-laden club that has won back-to-back regular-season championships.

Almqvist led all junior-aged SEL players in scoring during the 2010 Le Mat Playoffs, contributing 11 points (1G-10A) in 16 appearances during HV71’s successful run to a league title. He also finished the 2010-11 campaign with the best plus/minus mark (+20) in his league. The 5-foot-11, 174-pound defenseman has represented his country at several international competitions, including the 2008 U-18 Junior World Cup, where Sweden captured a bronze medal.

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