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#4 Jonathan Ericsson
Pos: Defenseman
D.O.B.: 03/02/84
From: Karlskrona, Sweden
Height: 6' 5"
Weight: 205
Shoots: Left
Drafted: 9th Rnd, 2002 draft by Detroit Red Wings
Acquired: Signed 2 yr contract with Detroit 5/31/06
Personal:
Plus: Former Center has Soft Hands... Great Size... Extremely Swift and Mobile for such a large player... Fluid skater with good agility... Can drop the gloves and is punishing... Has a mean streak...
Minus: Lanky, needs to grow into his large frame... Inconsistent...
Organizational Comments: "He had a very good year for us last year in Grand Rapids and we're looking for big things from him over the next two or three years. He's got a chance to be a real solid, No. 3 or 4 defenseman. He skates well, has good size, moves the puck well." Wings Asst. GM Jim Nill
What GRC says: 2008-09: After a dominant year in the AHL, Ericsson was being touted as NHL ready. His strong play, size and story (last pick in the draft) made him an intriguing prospect, and he was expected to tear up the minors while he waited for a spot to open up in Detroit. Instead he coasted through the first few months of the season, displaying little intensity, before being injured. He ramped up his play in the second half, earning an NHL recall, and never looked back.
2007-08: Ericsson continues to quietly improve, making a believer out of Red Wings coach Mike Babcock during an NHL audition in the second half. The enormous defenseman is capable of playing all situations, and brings a number of different elements to the game. He is an incredible skater, can make plays with the puck that most forwards can't, plays a hard physical game, and is a punishing fighter when he drops the gloves. He made great strides in the second half with his consistency, and could be in play for a spot in Detroit as early as next season.
2006-07:
After a torrid start to the season, Ericsson hit the wall mid-January and has not been the same player since. It is very common among players used to the shorter seasons in Europe and college hockey, to burn out in the second half before adjusting to the longer schedule. In addition to his size and skating ability, Jonathan also has a cannon of a shot with a quick release, and soft hands, which would be a primary scoring threat on the powerplay if he used them more consistently.
Fall 2006: Ericsson comes to North America with a tantalizing package of size and raw skill. It remains to be seen how the converted center will adapt to playing defense on the smaller rinks here. Jonathan may see some time in Toledo (ECHL) this season as he adjusts.
Role: Stay At Home Defenseman
Projection: 4th or 5th NHL Defenseman

Statistics:
Season Team Lge GP G A PTS PIM +/- GP G A PTS PIM +/-
2003-04 Sodertalje SK SEL 42 1 0 1 12
2004-05 Huddinge IK SWE-1 24 4 7 11 36
Sodertalje SK SEL 15 0 0 0 4 1 0 0 0 0
2005-06 Sodertalje SK SEL 24 0 0 0 20
2006-07 Grand Rapids Griffins AHL 67 5 24 29 102 5 7 0 0 0 8 -1
2007-08 Grand Rapids Griffins AHL 69 10 24 34 83 4
Detroit Red Wings NHL 8 1 0 1 4 -3
2008-09 Grand Rapids Griffins AHL 40 2 13 15 48 12
Detroit Red Wings NHL 19 1 3 4 15 -1 22 4 4 8 25 9
Griffins Totals 176 176178233217 0 0 0 8-1

Transactions
5/31/06 Signed 2 yr contract with Detroit (NHL)
10/12/06 Assigned by Detroit (NHL)
5/3/07 Recalled by Detroit (NHL)
9/30/07 Assigned by Detroit (NHL)
2/20/08 Recalled by Detroit (NHL)
3/10/08 Assigned by Detroit (NHL)
4/6/08 Recalled by Detroit (NHL)
4/7/08 Assigned by Detroit (NHL)
4/12/08 Recalled by Detroit (NHL)
7/22/08 Signed 3 yr contract with Detroit (NHL)
10/7/08 Assigned by Detroit (NHL)
3/2/09 Recalled by Detroit (NHL)
3/4/09 Assigned by Detroit (NHL)
3/4/09 Recalled by Detroit (NHL)