Bemstrom, 23, recorded six goals and five assists for 11 points with four penalty minutes and one game-winning goal in 41 appearances with the Blue Jackets in 2021-22, despite missing the first two months of the season with an oblique strain. He also made his AHL debut with Cleveland this past season, skating in his first game on Dec. 3, 2021 and posting 2-0-2 in four games.
"Emil is a skilled and offensive forward who has the ability to find the back of the net with an accurate shot," said Kekalainen. "He is young and still developing but we believe he has a lot of potential to become an important part of our organization over the next few seasons."
The Nykoping, Sweden native has registered 19-17-36 points with 12 PIM, six power play goals and 187 shots on goal in 117 career games since making his NHL debut with the club in 2019-20. He led club rookies in goals (10), points (20), and power play goals (five) in 56 contests in 2019-20. He was selected by Columbus in the fourth round, 117th overall, at the 2017 NHL Draft.
The 6-0, 193-pound forward notched 23-12-35 points with eight PIM, 10 PPG and a +10 plus/minus rating in 47 games with Djurgardens IF in the Swedish Hockey League (SHL) in 2018-19. He led the league in goals and power play goals and captured the SHL's Rookie of the Year and Swedish Junior Hockey Player of the Year awards after leading all rookies in goals, points and power play goals.
Bemstrom has represented Sweden at several international competitions. He registered 1-4-5 in eight games at the 2022 IIHF World Championships and was named a top three player for his country at the 2019 IIHF World Junior Championships after collecting 4-2-6 in five appearances.
FULL EMIL BEMSTROM STATISTICS
