Season Preview: John Persson

John Persson

Position: RW
Height: 6'2"
Weight: 192 lbs
Birthplace: Östersund, Sweden
Acquired: Draft, round 5, 125th overall, 2011 NHL Entry Draft

2010-2011 Team: Red Deer Rebels
2010-2011 Stats: 33 G - 28 A - 61 P - 34 PIM
2011-2012 Team: Red Deer Rebels
Team Role: Top 6 forward

Last year: An older player for the draft, Persson finally got his chance to play big minutes in the WHL after coming over from Sweden and proved himself quite well. Playing with the likes of this year's #1 overall, Ryan Nugent Hopkins, Persson found himself with a very admirable 61 points, coupled with a 30+ goal season. Garth Snow noted that his skilled hands were one of the reasons he was drafted. An absolute power forward, Persson was also known for his fighting ability.

Expectations: Red Deer's success depends on if Ryan Nugent-Hopkins gets sent back to Red Deer. While he is not completely quintessential to the team making the playoffs, his addition would allow players like Persson to continue to flourish with his power play expertise and general playmaking skills. Persson will be 19 for this season and older than a good portion of his comrades, so he should be able to come into his own this season if he is slotted with the right teammate to set him up.

Projections: 68 GP - 35 G - 30 A - 65 P

Thoughts:

AT: Persson could end up being a great value pick for a 5th rounder. He reads like a cross breed between Jesse Joensuu and Matt Martin, the latter being where on the Islanders he will fill his role when his time is finally here. Obviously he has a nose for the net and when properly set up, can achieve great success. Seeing him with one of our (by then) seasoned prospects such as Cizikas, Ullstrom, Lee or Nelson on the bottom 6 in the future is a very exciting thought. Persson needs to prove that he can come into his own, but I have high hopes for this young kid from Sweden.

CH: It should be very interesting to see if Persson ends up playing on a line with Ryan Nugent-Hopkins this year, assuming he stays with the Rebels and not with the Oilers. I had not heard of Persson when he was picked, but the more I read on him the more I think he was a good pick for the organization. Persson can only play one more year in the WHL and is eligible for the AHL next season, and with a lack of wings at the AHL level (only Rakhshani), he should be able to slide in and potentially make an impact. He needs another productive year, but this under-the-radar pick could easily become a member of the Sound Tigers next season.