Erik Karlsson is one of the best defenders in the NHL. But already in his professional debut, 17 years of age, he showed his outstanding potential.
The NHL season is around the corner and one of the guys to look out for, like every year, is Swedish defenseman Erik Karlsson. The swede played a huge role for the Senators in last year’s playoffs, even though he were playing with a heel injury and won’t be back from rehabilitation before the start of the season.
However, there’s always stuff happening when Karlsson enters the ice. Just as in his professional debut in the Swedish Hockey League.
Giving orders to the club icon
At only 17-years of age, Karlsson, made his debut with Frolunda. And in overtime with a power play on their hands, the defenseman stepped forward and scored the game winning goal.
Emil Olsen, The junior head coach of Frolunda, recalled that Karlsson started talking to club icon Tomi Kallio before the game, telling him how he should position himself in power play.
“A 17-year old boy telling Tomi Kallio what to do. Can you believe it?”, Olsen said to Swedish newspaper GP.
“Did I say that to Kallio”?, Erik Karlsson told Olsen after the game. “Maybe I did haha, I say plenty of stupid stuff all the time”.
