Photo: @Capitals

The Washington Capitals have loaned forward Axel Jonsson-Fjallby to Djurgardens IF of the Swedish Hockey League (SHL), senior vice president and general manager Brian MacLellan announced today. 

There was much discussion over the summer (here) that Jonsson-Fjallby was considering playing in Sweden this season (here), if he was unable to crack the Capitals roster this fall. Jonsson-Fjallby was cut from Capitals training camp and assigned to Hershey on 9/26.

Additional rumors swirled at the beginning of the season that Axel was considering a return to his former club, Djurgarden, but the rumors were deemed untrue at the time (here).

In a Hershey Bears game broadcast on 11/2, Bears’ radio man Zack Fisch mentioned that Jonsson-Fjallby was homesick, and that there was still a chance he could return to Sweden at some point this season.

Fisch commented on the departure of Jonsson-Fjallby via twitter Tuesday afternoon:

“Tough news for Bears. Thought Axel was making big strides to adjust to North American game. This move obviously won’t help that, but it’s his contractual right. Not ideal, but don’t believe it will be last we see of him in Chocolatetown. #HBH”

According to Swedish media outlet aftonbladet, Jonsson-Fjällby flies to Stockholm Wednesday night and may be available for Thursday’s match against Frölunda.

Jonsson-Fjallby released a message via the Djurgardens team website on Tuesday.
“It has been very instructive and I have had a taste of how hockey is in North America. It will increase my chances next time. It feels quite right to get home to Djurgården and spend a year in SHL.

The Capitals signed Jonsson-Fjallby to a three-year entry-level contract on May 2, for an average annual value of $860,000.

FROM MEDIA RELEASE

Jonsson-Fjallby, 20, appeared in 15 games with the Hershey Bears of the American Hockey League (AHL) this season, recording three points (2g, 1a).

During the 2017-18 season, Jonsson-Fjallby recorded 16 points (7g, 9a) in 42 regular season games and eight points (6g, 2a) in 11 playoff games with Djurgårdens IF. The Stockholm, Sweden, native also led Sweden to a silver medal in the 2018 U-20 World Junior Championship, earning four points (2g, 2a) in seven games.

The Capitals selected Jonsson-Fjallby in the fifth round, 147th-overall, in the 2016 NHL Entry Draft. Jonsson-Fjallby was ranked 92nd overall among international skaters by NHL Central Scouting. The 6’0″, 170-pound forward made his SHL debut in 2016-17 and recorded one assist in 24 games with Djurgårdens IF. Jonsson-Fjallby also registered 37 points (17g, 20a) in 32 games with Djurgårdens IF’s U-20 affiliate in the 2016-17 season. Jonsson-Fjallby represented Sweden in seven games between Sweden’s U19 and U20 teams and recorded one goal during the 2016-17 season.

By Jon Sorensen