The Hershey Bears announced Friday morning that Capitals forward prospect Ludwig Persson has been re-assigned to Hershey.
MORE FROM THE BEARS
Hershey, PA – April 7, 2023) – The Washington Capitals, the NHL affiliate of the Hershey Bears, have re-assigned forward Ludwig Persson from BIK Karlskoga of HockeyAllsvenskan (Sweden-2) to Hershey, senior vice president and general manager Brian MacLellan announced today.
The Capitals selected Persson, 19, in the 3rd round (85th overall) in the 2022 NHL Draft. The Gothenburg, Sweden native recorded 15 points (4g, 11a) in 45 games with BIK Karlskoga this season. The 6’0”, 185-pound forward ranked tied for ninth on the team in assists and 10th in points. Persson also appeared in one game with Frölunda of the Swedish Hockey League (SHL).
Internationally, Persson scored one goal in six games with Sweden’s U20 team this season. Persson earned a bronze medal with Sweden at the 2021 IIHF Ice Hockey U18 World Championship, where he recorded four points (2g, 2a) in seven games.
Persson will wear #48 for Hershey.
The Capitals selected Persson with their third round pick (#85 overall) of the 2022 NHL Entry Draft.
Persson reflected on his draft day experience in an interview with his home club’s website. He noted that the draft day experience was fun, but realizes that the real work is ahead.
“It’s clear that the draft is a great experience and a fun day, but that’s all it is. Even if you get selected, it does not determine your career. What determines your career is what you do AFTER the draft. It is important that you do not, like some, be happy to get this far and stop working. Those who really get somewhere work even harder after this. Right now I’m looking forward to the new season starting. I know it’s early but I can can hardly wait!”
Persson attended Capitals development camp immediately following the draft and signed a three-year entry-level contract on the last day of the camp. He will earn $775,000 in each of the first two seasons of the deal and $800,000 (NHL) in the third and $82,500 in the AHL.
Persson returned to Northern Virginia in mid-September to partake in the Capitals rookie camp and hung around for the first week of the Capitals main training camp, also playing in the Capitals second preseason game against the Philadelphia Flyers on September 28.
The Capitals returned Persson to BIK Karlskoga of Sweden’s HockeyAllsvensken league on September 30 and he made his regular-season debut on Wednesday night. Following the game he had time to reflect on his time with the Capitals.
“It was cool to see how the professionals work and also play against them,” Persson told KT Kuriren about his time in Washington.
Ludwig Persson 🚨 #Hockeyallsvenskan #bikkarlskoga #allcaps
🎥 C More pic.twitter.com/Y59rxmBbWD— SwehockeyGIFs (@swehockeygifs) October 29, 2022
He was well looked after by, among others, fellow Swedes Carl Hagelin, Nicklas Bäckström and Marcus Johansson.
“They really welcomed me in a good way.”
In addition to training with the NHL stars, there was also an away game against Philadelphia. Persson believes his first NHL action went relatively well.
“I think it went well and I am satisfied with my effort. It was fast but it was very useful for me to see what it is like. After all, this is where I want to be one day.”
Persson said he would actually have gone home earlier, but the management in Washington liked what they saw.
“I had to stay a little longer. I don’t know how the thoughts went there. They were slimming down the squad all the time really. It was a very cool experience. Now it’s just a matter of building on it.”
By Jon Sorensen
RELATED READING:
Ludwig Persson: 2022 Four Nations Tournament Notebook
Capitals Forward Prospect Ludwig Persson Scores In Preseason Opener For BIK
Capitals Prospect Ludwig Persson Is One Of 22 Swedes On The Roster For “Four Nations Tournament” In Preparation For 2023 World Junior Championship
Capitals Forward Prospect Ludwig Persson Records Two Goals, Assist In 2023 World Junior Championship Preparation Game
Ludwig Persson Enjoyed His Draft Day Experience, But Realizes The Real Work Begins After The Draft
Capitals Sign Forward Ludwig Persson To Three-Year Entry-Level Deal
Capitals Select Forward Ludwig Persson With 85th Overall Pick In 2022 NHL Draft
So he’s no longer a “Missing Persson”?
God, I hope he makes the NHL. Years of bad puns to look forward to
His season went south in Sweden’s second tier. Hope he’s ready for AHL action.
Yeah, I was disappointed with his numbers. Him and Magnusson both. Who knows? Maybe he finds his game on US soil.
Ivn Miroshnichenko’s Omskie Yastreby lose today to SKA-1946, but Omskie leads the series 2-1. Ivan has 0 points in the series