DETROIT – The Detroit Red Wings have inked defenseman Anton Johansson to a three-year, entry-level deal that kicks off in the 2025-26 season. For the rest of the 2024-25 season, Johansson will join the Grand Rapids Griffins, the Red Wings’ AHL affiliate, on an amateur tryout basis.
The 20-year-old Johansson has been playing with Leksands IF in the Swedish Hockey League (SHL) during the 2024-25 season, where he’s earned 10 points (5 goals, 5 assists) and racked up 50 penalty minutes over 46 games. Last season (2023-24), the 6-foot-4, 196-pound blueliner also suited up for Leksands IF in Sweden’s premier league, posting eight points (3 goals, 5 assists), a plus-three rating, and 16 penalty minutes in 46 regular-season games, plus four points (2 goals, 2 assists) in seven playoff games.
He also made a single appearance with Leksands IF’s U20 team that year. Drafted by Detroit in the fourth round (105th overall) of the 2022 NHL Entry Draft, Johansson has totaled 19 points (9 goals, 10 assists) and 68 penalty minutes in 117 SHL games with Leksands IF since the 2021-22 season.
Hailing from Stockholm, Sweden, Johansson is related to San Jose Sharks forward Alexander Wennberg, his cousin, who has amassed 365 points (99 goals, 266 assists) and 165 penalty minutes across 773 NHL games with teams like the Columbus Blue Jackets, Florida Panthers, Seattle Kraken, New York Rangers, and Sharks since 2014-15.
Johansson’s father, Thomas Johansson, was a seasoned European pro who secured a bronze medal for Sweden at the 2002 IIHF World Championship alongside former Red Wings captain Henrik Zetterberg. Since joining Leksands IF in 2020-21, Johansson has developed through their system, recording 23 points (12 goals, 11 assists) and 106 penalty minutes in 55 games with the U20 team, as well as 28 points (10 goals, 18 assists) and 66 penalty minutes in 40 U18 games.
Internationally, Johansson earned a silver medal with Sweden at the 2024 IIHF World Junior Championship alongside Red Wings prospect Axel Sandin-Pellikka, finishing with a plus-one rating and 14 penalty minutes in seven games.
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