The Buffalo Sabres have loaned forward Anton Wahlberg to the Malmo Redhawks of the Swedish Hockey League, the team announced Tuesday.
Buffalo drafted Wahlberg during the second round of the NHL Draft this past June. He signed his three-year, entry-level contract with the organization on July 14.
Wahlberg said at the draft that he planned to play at least one more season with Malmo, after which he and the Sabres would collaborate on the next step in his development.
"I have one more year in Sweden with my team," he said. "Afterwards, I want to talk to the Buffalo Sabres about what's the best option for me and why."
ANTON WAHLBERG
Wahlberg tallied five points (3+2) in 22 games with Malmo's SHL club last season. He was a regular in the Redhawks lineup when the club faced relegation, a fact that weighed heavily on the Sabres' amateur scouting staff as they considered selecting him.
"In Sweden, that's as much pressure as playing in the Stanley Cup Finals," Sabres director of amateur scouting Jerry Forton said at the draft. "… He's a kid that rises in the big moments."
The 18-year-old could also have a chance to represent Sweden - this year's host country - at the 2024 World Junior Championship in Gothenburg. He scored two goals in four games at the World Junior Summer Showcase earlier this month.
