With next weekend’s season-opener inching ever closer, the Checkers’ new batch of rookies continue to prepare to take that next step in their careers. For most, they have left their junior or college teams behind to make the leap to the professional game, a transition that carries with it a bevy of adjustments and obstacles.
For rookie forward Erik Karlsson, however, it’s a bit of a different case.
The 21-year-old (not to be confused with the Ottawa Senators’ Norris Trophy-winning defenseman who shares both his name and home country) is poised to begin his AHL career this season with Charlotte, but his pro career is already in full swing.
Karlsson has logged 99 games in Sweden’s top professional league with Frolunda HC, where he has played each of the last two seasons. He has been with Frolunda since 2009-10, starring for their U-18 and junior teams before getting a taste of the pro game at the tail end of the 2012-13 season. The next year, Karlsson made the jump to the pro level.
The Swedish league is considered by many to be one of the best in Europe. Facing top competition has given Karlsson experience playing against bigger, more seasoned opponents. That experience gives him a bit of a leg up against players coming out of junior or college, who are used to playing against teenagers.
“The Elite League is Sweden is a good league,” said Karlsson. “I’ve played with men for two years now, so it’s like this is my third year pro but my first in America.”
While Karlsson has some advantage in terms of the level of competition he has seen, his transition to the pro game will still have some roadblocks he’ll need to adjust to. Most notably is the size of the rinks he will be playing on.
International rinks are larger than those in North America. The difference in size lends itself to different distinct styles of play. How to amend his game to more aptly fit the smaller sheets of ice is something that Karlsson is learning here at camp.
“It’s different,” said Karlsson of the North American style of play. “It’s a little faster game. You don’t have as much time so think fast and do everything fast on the ice. But I like it so far. I’m starting to get in the mindset of playing on a smaller rink.”
After spending time at Hurricanes camp and now in the Checkers training camp, Karlsson looks to be getting more and more comfortable on the ice. While not especially physically imposing (listed as 6-feet and 170 pounds), Karlsson is quick on the ice, and although he didn’t put up much in terms of numbers in the stingy Swedish league, his offensive game could bloom here in Charlotte.
“I’m a smart player,” said Karlsson. “I think I’m a good skater and I read the game pretty good. My speed and my smartness are going to be great for this team, I hope.”
It’s rare for a player to join the Checkers for their rookie season directly from Europe. Skaters like Michal Jordan, Rasmus Rissanen and Sergey Tolchinsky all spent years playing junior hockey in the CHL before turning pro. Karlsson’s transition will be a new thing to watch for the Checkers organization, but his pedigree points to the young forward having the tools to make a mark in North America.
A locker room full of young pros and established veterans should help Karlsson’s transition to go as smoothly as possible.
“It’s a great group of guys and they take care of me well. I’m excited to get the season started here in Charlotte,” said Karlsson.
