Outdoors & Sports
Rasmus Dahlin: A Swede on the Rise
With the NHL season getting underway, there’s one young Swede who’s sure to capture the spotlight this season: Rasmus Dahlin.
Not long ago, we discussed four things you need to know about Dahlin, and since then, he was selected first overall in the 2018 NHL Draft by the Buffalo Sabres. The Trollhättan-born defenseman made his NHL debut Thursday night as the Sabres opened their season with a 4-0 loss to Boston.
His early career
Since scoring his first goal for Frölunda HC as a 16-year-old, Dahlin has cemented his name in the history books. According to the Globe and Mail, at the 2016 IIHF World U20 Championships, he was the youngest-ever player to represent Sweden. The following year, Dahlin was the youngest player at the World Junior Ice Hockey Championships, and in 2018, he was named the tournament’s top defenseman and helped Sweden claim the silver medal with standout performances and six assists, according to NHL.com.
Dahlin’s rise continued when he represented Sweden at the 2018 Winter Olympics, when he became the youngest hockey player to compete in the games since 1984.
The start of his NHL career
With excellent puck handling, vision, intelligence and a wicked shot, the experts at NBC Sports have likened his ability to fellow Swedes Erik Karlsson and Victor Hedman. While his NHL career is just underway, Dahlin is expected to make waves as a candidate for the league’s top rookie, according to Sports Illustrated.
Dahlin played in four of the Sabres’ seven preseason games, scoring once and assisting twice. After his first preseason game, Dahlin told the Buffalo News about his time on the ice against the Pittsburgh Penguins, “It was awesome,” Dahlin said. “I was nervous before the game. When you make your first pass, then it’s gone and you feel comfortable out there skating.”
To keep up with Dahlin during his first season with the Buffalo Sabres, visit the NHL website; and Umgås wishes Dahlin and his fellow Swedes the best of luck during the 2018-2019 NHL season.
