This year, in the SEL, Erixon is on pace for a career high in points, with three goals and twelve assists. He’s averaging 19:52 of ice time a game, a career high, and plays on the top pairing for Skellefteå AIK alongside the awesomely named David Round Leaf (I think- I had trouble finding this, so that pairing may just be wishful thinking on my part).
To make a point- that’s two more minutes a game than projected top 3 NHL draft pick Adam Larsson.
Erixon is a type of player I’d like to compare to everyone’s favorite Flame, Mark Giordano. He competes every shift, blocks shots, makes good defensive poke checks, but he’s just as dangerous in the offensive zone.
So what’s he won? Well, not a whole lot. He was on the silver medal WJC team in 2009, but that’s really about it. SAIK, however, is on pace for the #2 seed in the league, giving him a shot at some post-season glory.
His previous WJC have definitely shown a progression in playing capability. His first year he earned a grand total of zero points in 6 games. Last he put up a goal and two assists as well as ten penalty minutes. This year? Expect to see him on the top pairing next to Oliver Ekman-Larson and grab more than a couple assists. It’s hard to say if he’ll make it to the Flames at some point, especially given their defensive depth, but he’s absolutely growing as a player, and this is a great chance to see how much.