The Calgary Flames first pick in the 2009 draft wasn’t an American, in fact, it was a bit of surprise. Swedish defenceman Tim Erixon was picked 23rd overall pick in the NHL draft. The Flames moved their 20th pick to NJ to compensate for their eventual loss of a third-round pick to Flordia for exclusive rights to Bouwmeester.
It is the second time in three years the Flames have used their first-round pick on a Swedish player after going six straight drafts without selecting a European with their top pick. The last pick was Backlund.
Erixon, six-foot-two and 190 pounds, was the fifth-ranked European skater on the NHL Central Scouting Bureau list.
Erixon has played one professional season, 45 games with Skelleftea AIK of the Swedish Elite League this season.
Erixon was named to the all-star team at the 2009 world under-18 championship and also helped Sweden win the silver medal at the 2009 world junior championship.
Erixon is the son of Jan Erixon, who played 10 seasons with the New York Rangers and had 216 points in 556 games.
The following day the Flames boss dealt their 84th pick and one of his fourth-rounders to nail down No. 74, with which he selected LW Ryan Howse, scoring winger of the WHL Chilliwack Bruins.
Howse, five foot 11 and 180 pounds, collected 44 points, including 31 goals, in 61 contests last winter. Total.
TIM ERIXON (D)
Drafted: 1st round (23rd overall)
HT: 6’2†WT: 190 lbs. Shoots: Left Born: Skelleftea, SWE (February 24, 1991)
2008-09 Regular Season Statistics
TEAM LEAGUE GP G A PTS PIM
Skelleftea SWE 45 2 5 7 12
RYAN HOWSE (RW)
Drafted: 3rd round (74th overall)
HT: 5’11†WT: 195 lbs. Shoots: Left Born: Prince George, BC (July 6, 1991)
2008-09 Regular Season Statistics
TEAM LEAGUE GP G A PTS PIM
Chilliwack WHL 61 31 13 44 12
HENRIK BJORKLUND (RW)
Drafted: 4th round (111th overall)
HT: 6’2†WT: 202 lbs. Shoots: Left Born: Karlstad, SWE (September 22, 1990)
2008-09 Regular Season Statistics
TEAM LEAGUE GP G A PTS PIM
Skare SWE 24 14 10 24 71
SPENCER BENNETT (C/LW)
Drafted: 5th round (141st overall)
HT: 6’3†WT: 185 lbs. Shoots: Left Born: White Rock, BC (October 31, 1990, 1990)
2008-09 Regular Season Statistics
TEAM LEAGUE GP G A PTS PIM
Surrey BCHL 60 20 21 41 32
JONI ORTIO (G)
Drafted: 6th round (171st overall)
HT: 6’1†WT: 181 lbs. Catches: Left Born: Turku, FIN (April 16, 1991)
2008-09 Regular Season Statistics
TEAM LEAGUE GP W L GAA SV%
TPS-Jr FIN 26 18 8 2.63 .918
GAELAN PATTERSON (C)
Drafted: 7th round (201st overall)
HT: 6’0†WT: 204 lbs. Shoots: Left Born: La Ronge, SK (August 22, 1990)
2008-09 Regular Season Statistics
TEAM LEAGUE GP G A PTS PIM
Saskatoon WHL 71 22 35 57 41
1st rd (23rd) TIM ERIXON (Skelleftea – SWE)
3rd rd (74th) RYAN HOWSE (Chilliwack – WHL)
4th rd (111th) HENRIK BJORKLUND (Farjestads – SWE)
5th rd (141st) SPENCER BENNETT (Surrey – BCHL)
6th rd (171st) JONI ORTIO (TPS Jr – FIN)
7th rd (201st) GAELAN PATTERSON (Saskatoon – WHL)
[tags]howse, erixon[/tags]
