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See that picture up there? That’s Swede Emil Johansson. That’s not the Emil Johansson this post is about. But we needed a picture, and that’s the closest we could get to an Emil Johansson.
Anyways...
A report out of Aftonbladet in Sweden indicates that the Bruins will be signing Emil Johansson shortly and bringing him over to the United States.
This is something that has been brewing for a while apparently, and with Djurgårdens IF’s season ending, now appears to be the time.
Johansson was selected in the seventh round of the 2014 draft. He’s a left-shot defenseman and will be 21 in May.
Johansson recorded 7 goals and 10 assists in 49 games with Djurgårdens IF. He’s spent the last three seasons playing in the Swedish Hockey League, the top division in Sweden.
His Hockey’s Future profile indicates that he’s a smart, stay-at-home type defenseman.
His coach at Djurgårdens IF called him the “little Rolle Stoltz,” high praise in Sweden: Stoltz is in the IIHF Hall of Fame and won multiple medals in world competition with Tre Kronor.
It’ll be interesting to see what the Bruins’ plans are with Johansson, but logic dictates he’ll report to Providence and maybe get a shot with the big club if the Bruins manage to clinch a playoff spot before season’s end.
Thanks to Patrik Brexell for alerting us to the Aftonbladet article.