Oil Kings’ Figren signs with Islanders

The New York Islanders have signed Swedish left wing prospect Robin Figren (pronounced FEE-grehn) to a three-year entry level contract. As the team’s third round selection in the 2006 NHL Entry Draft, the 20-year old Figren has spent the last two seasons in the Western Hockey League and represented his native Sweden at the 2008 World Junior Championships. Figren will spend the 2008-09 season with Djurgardens of the Swedish Elite League before returning to North American to complete the last two years of the contract.
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r“We’ve seen Robin grow and develop into one of our top prospects over the past two seasons,” said Islanders General Manager Garth Snow. “He’ll spend a season in the Swedish Elite League, which is one of the top hockey leagues in the world, and as an organization we’re very comfortable with that. His development will only grow while playing with Djurgardens.”
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rFigren made a big impact on the hockey community this past winter while participating in the World Junior Championships. In six games, he scored five goals and added two assists for seven points for Sweden and scored one of the tournament’s most memorable goals in some time. With his strong effort, Figren helped Sweden capture the silver medal.
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r”Robin has played some of his best hockey at the most important times of games and seasons,” said Islanders Assistant General Manager and Director of Amateur Scouting Ryan Jankowski. “Two years ago he scored some key goals and helped Calgary make a very good run in the WHL playoffs. This past year at the World Juniors, he once again scored some key goals for Sweden and his play helped them win with their first medal in a few years.”
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rThe 5-11, 176 pound native of Stockholm split his WHL junior career with the Calgary Hitmen and expansion Edmonton Oil Kings. Last season with Edmonton, Figren scored 18 goals with 13 assists for 31 points in 35 games. He missed time with a wrist injury at the beginning of the season. In 97 career WHL games, Figren scored 28 goals with 20 assists for 48 points and compiled 100 penalty minutes.
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rFigren also represented Sweden at the 2006 Under-18 World Junior Championships and scored three goals with two assists for five points in six games. Prior to coming to North America to further his hockey development, Figren was a prospect with Swedish Hockey League’s Vastra Frolunda, who was a perennial favorite at the time. Over the past two seasons, Figren has attended both Islanders summer rookie camps and training camps.
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