New Swedish Wings

TRAVERSE CITY, MICH. — After not drafting any Swedes last year for the first time since 1992, the Swedish-heavy Red Wings made up for it with three Swedes in this year’s draft.

All three — defenseman Alfons Malmstrom, goaltender Filip Larsson and forward Mattias Elfstrom — were in Traverse City for development camp this July.

“It’s always a huge honor,” Larsson said. “Detroit is a huge team back home in Sweden. Many Swedes come here the last 20 years so it’s obviously a huge honor to be drafted by the Red Wings.”

The Wings took Larsson in the sixth round, 167th overall.

Elfstrom, chosen in the seventh round, 197th overall, was also pleased that Detroit took him.

“Very happy,” Elfstrom said. “It’s a dream since I was a kid so it’s fantastic.”

Malmstrom, who tweaked his ankle in the first scrimmage of camp, was feeling a little stressed early on.

“After the skills sessions, I thought he was fine and he came up to me and said, ‘I haven’t skated for a while’ and I said, ‘You know what? Just relax. Go out there and have fun, execute the drills properly,'” Griffins coach Todd Nelson said. “I said, ‘Once again, we’re not evaluating you right now. We’re trying to educate you, trying to have you gain good pro habits so whatever team you play for next year you can implement those habits and those habits will be with you for the rest of your …

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