Congratulations, Bears fans! A playoff beast is heading your way and he’s packed with confidence and luscious hair.
Monday, Axel Jonsson-Fjällby left Sweden and his hometown club Djurgården to wrap up his season with the Hershey Bears. The 21-year-old Swede was given a heartwarming goodbye following the news that the Capitals organization had recalled him to AHL duty for the remainder of the Bears Calder Cup run.
On his Instagram, Jonsson-Fjällby wrote “THANK YOU” as the news broke he was leaving Djurgården for the Hershey Bears.
Jonsson-Fjällby had a bit of a rough regular season, with just a single tally to his name despite playing with Jonathan and Marcus Davidsson, both elite prospects in the Swedish leagues. Jonathan Davidsson was drafted 170th overall in the 2017 NHL Entry Draft by the Columbus Blue Jackets, and later traded to the Ottawa Senators in February 2019. While his brother, Marcus, was the 37th overall draft pick of the Buffalo Sabres, also in the 2017 NHL Entry Draft.
As Djurgården entered their playoff run, Jonsson-Fjällby picked up the pace. He scored seven goals, tied for the lead on his team, and added five helpers to earn the third most points on Djurgården in the playoffs. He also finished 11th overall in playoff points. In his career, Jonsson-Fjällby has 21 points in 33 playoff games, and 27 points in 101 regular season games.
Here’s an example of some of his playoff goals this spring.
Axel Jonsson Fjällby. Wow! 💨 pic.twitter.com/HSTtxe2aUY
— C More Sport (@cmoresport) April 6, 2019
A characteristic goal from the speedster, as he breaks through the Färjestad defense for a breakaway goal.
If that was too fast for you, here’s a replay.
2-0 Djurgården, signerat Axel Jonsson Fjällby! 🏃💨 #twittpuck #SHL @DIFHockeyse @axelfjallby pic.twitter.com/KEiowAdPfj
— C More Sport (@cmoresport) April 23, 2019
Oh, wait. He’s wearing a different jersey? That’s because this is a very similar goal. Jonsson-Fjällby explodes away from his defender and roofs the puck on the Frölunda goalie in the final series.
This next goal is a pretty one. Axel gets a layup from linemates Emil Bemström and Marcus Davidsson for another tally against Frölunda.
Axel Jonsson Fjallby's team Djurgardens down 4-1 heading to the second intermission in Game 6 of the SHL finals. Need a win or their season is over. AJF has the only goal for his side. pic.twitter.com/j3tk49I3el
— Kyle Mace (@kyle_mace) May 2, 2019
In total, Axel Jonsson-Fjällby scored three goals in the SHL playoff finals, but Djurgården ultimately lost 4-2 to Gothenburgs Frölunda. He also contributed a couple of nice helpers, including this odd-man break in the semifinals.
Nice primary assist by Capitals prospect Axel Jonsson Fjällby.https://t.co/P2uuhCdZDZ#SHL #Playoffs #DIFhockey #allcaps pic.twitter.com/bWh8GMkjLc
— Eliteprospects (@eliteprospects) April 12, 2019
Baring down on the goaltender, Jonsson-Fjällby faked a shot and feeds his linemate Lukas Weijdemo for a beautiful goal.
Jonsson-Fjällby will join the Hershey Bears for their Atlantic Division matchup against the Charlotte Checkers. The Bears dropped Game One and Two at Bojangles Coliseum, and will be back in action in Hershey on Tuesday and Wednesday for Games Three and Four of the seven-game series.
Axel is in the building pic.twitter.com/SkPNcPu4jA
— Kyle Mace (@kyle_mace) May 6, 2019
Jonsson-Fjällby did not skate in practice on Monday, according to Chocolate Hockey’s Kyle Mace, due to needing to complete a physical. It is not yet known whether Jonsson-Fjällby will be in the lineup Tuesday night for Game Three.
Headline photo: @TheHersheyBears
