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The post Could This be Last Chance For Red Wings Prospect? appeared first on Detroit Hockey Now.
Charlie Forslund
The Detroit Red Wings first saw Charlie Forslund in action playing for Falun in HockeyEttan, the Swedish third division.
A few months later, when they selected the Swedish forward in the sixth round of the NHL Entry Draft, they knew it was a reach. But it was a gamble they were willing to take.
“Playing against those men at a lower level, Charlie stood out,” Red Wings assistant GM Kris Draper said. “He’s got good size, he can skate, he can really move and shoot the puck. He had a couple of goals that game.
“Obviously, we did a lot of background checks and gathered information on him. You start thinking this could be something that could be potentially really good for us down the road.”
To date, the gamble isn’t paying off. And time is running out on Forslund’s opportunity to turn some heads.
His last chance to impress may be coming next season. Forslund has signed with Brynas of the SHL, Sweden’s top division.
Two years since being chosen 176th overall by the Red Wings, Forslund has yet to play a single shift in the SHL.
“My hope was that I would get into HockeyAllsvenskan straight away,” Forslund told Hockey Sverige. “Then I didn’t have a great first season, and it was quite a difficult transition for me.
“I also think that there was a big difference between playing in HockeyEttan and J20 – and senior hockey suits me much better.
“I guess I came from nowhere, but I just think it’s fun. A confirmation that I did something good.
“I’m incredibly proud to be here now, and I see it as a confirmation that it can be good even if you don’t take the same path as everyone else into professional life.”
The Brynas roster is well-stocked with NHL-experienced talent. There is longtime Washington Capitals star Nicklas Backstrom, and former Red Wings such as Robert Hagg, Luke Witkowski, and Christian Djoos.
Left-winger Michal Svrcek, a 2025 Detroit draftee, also plays for Brynas.
“There are many players on the team who have made the journey I want to make, so I will take their advice, learn from them, and follow in their footsteps,” Forslund said. “Their experience will help me too.”
Forslund, who turns 20 on May 4, began last season in the Swedish junior league with Mora. He later joined Almtuna of Hockey Allsvenskan, Sweden’s Tier II league. In 28 games, he produced 5-4-9 totals.
Forslund’s game certainly sounds like it would be a fit in Detroit.
“I’m big, and I want to be in the hot areas,” Forslund said. “I’m a player who dares to step in and be where it hurts.
“I want to be a player who scores my points close to the goal and who is big and hard to face.”
He’s not bitter about the path his hockey career has taken. In fact, Forslund figures he’s gotten what he deserved.
“If you deserve ice time at a certain level, you should be there,” Forslund said. “If I have a good summer, I have every chance of breaking in.”
The Red Wings have until June 1, 2027, to decide whether or not to offer Forslund a contract. If they don’t, he’ll become a UFA.
The post Could This be Last Chance For Red Wings Prospect? appeared first on Detroit Hockey Now.
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Charlie Forslund
The Detroit Red Wings first saw Charlie Forslund in action playing for Falun in HockeyEttan, the Swedish third division.
A few months later, when they selected the Swedish forward in the sixth round of the NHL Entry Draft, they knew it was a reach. But it was a gamble they were willing to take.
“Playing against those men at a lower level, Charlie stood out,” Red Wings assistant GM Kris Draper said. “He’s got good size, he can skate, he can really move and shoot the puck. He had a couple of goals that game.
“Obviously, we did a lot of background checks and gathered information on him. You start thinking this could be something that could be potentially really good for us down the road.”
Red Wings Took a Chance With Forslund
To date, the gamble isn’t paying off. And time is running out on Forslund’s opportunity to turn some heads.
His last chance to impress may be coming next season. Forslund has signed with Brynas of the SHL, Sweden’s top division.
Two years since being chosen 176th overall by the Red Wings, Forslund has yet to play a single shift in the SHL.
“My hope was that I would get into HockeyAllsvenskan straight away,” Forslund told Hockey Sverige. “Then I didn’t have a great first season, and it was quite a difficult transition for me.
“I also think that there was a big difference between playing in HockeyEttan and J20 – and senior hockey suits me much better.
“I guess I came from nowhere, but I just think it’s fun. A confirmation that I did something good.
“I’m incredibly proud to be here now, and I see it as a confirmation that it can be good even if you don’t take the same path as everyone else into professional life.”
Plenty of Red Wings Connections at Brynas
The Brynas roster is well-stocked with NHL-experienced talent. There is longtime Washington Capitals star Nicklas Backstrom, and former Red Wings such as Robert Hagg, Luke Witkowski, and Christian Djoos.
Left-winger Michal Svrcek, a 2025 Detroit draftee, also plays for Brynas.
“There are many players on the team who have made the journey I want to make, so I will take their advice, learn from them, and follow in their footsteps,” Forslund said. “Their experience will help me too.”
Forslund, who turns 20 on May 4, began last season in the Swedish junior league with Mora. He later joined Almtuna of Hockey Allsvenskan, Sweden’s Tier II league. In 28 games, he produced 5-4-9 totals.
Forslund’s game certainly sounds like it would be a fit in Detroit.
“I’m big, and I want to be in the hot areas,” Forslund said. “I’m a player who dares to step in and be where it hurts.
“I want to be a player who scores my points close to the goal and who is big and hard to face.”
He’s not bitter about the path his hockey career has taken. In fact, Forslund figures he’s gotten what he deserved.
“If you deserve ice time at a certain level, you should be there,” Forslund said. “If I have a good summer, I have every chance of breaking in.”
The Red Wings have until June 1, 2027, to decide whether or not to offer Forslund a contract. If they don’t, he’ll become a UFA.
The post Could This be Last Chance For Red Wings Prospect? appeared first on Detroit Hockey Now.
Continue reading...
