Wallstedt Becomes Highest Drafted Swedish Goaltender Ever, One of Two Winterhawks Prospects Taken Night One of the NHL Draft
Portland, Ore. – Two Winterhawks prospects were selected in the first round of Friday’s NHL Draft, highlighted by goaltender Jesper Wallstedt becoming the first-ever goaltender from his country drafted in the first round.
Wallstedt, 18, was selected 20th overall by the Minnesota Wild after posting a record of 12-10-0 with a .908 save percentage (SV%), 2.23 goals against average (GAA), and two shutouts playing for Luleå in the Swedish Hockey League, the highest level of competition in the country. He also represented Sweden at the 2020 IIHF World Juniors as a double underage player and will play a key role in his country vying for a gold medal in this year’s World Juniors in Edmonton and Red Deer, Alta.
The 6-foot-3, 212 pound netminder could become one of Portland’s two import players for the 2021-22 Western Hockey League season, pending where the Wild, Wallstedt and his representatives believe is the best destination for his development.
Prospect Chaz Lucius was also selected Friday, going 18th overall to the Winnipeg Jets. The Grant, Minnesota native earned his spot in the first round after posting 18 points in 12 games with the United States National Development Team Program (USNDTP) of the United States Hockey League (USHL). Lucius is committed to play for the University of Minnesota next season.
Stay tuned to winterhawks.com for day two coverage of the NHL Draft which begins Saturday at 8:00 a.m. PT.
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The Portland Winterhawks begin their 46th season of play on October 1 and will host Seattle on October 2 for the team’s home opener.
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