Carlsson takes 1st steps toward future with Ducks

IRVINE, Calif. -- Leo Carlsson took a lengthier stride than usual when he skated onto the ice wearing an NHL jersey for the first time with the Anaheim Ducks at development camp last Monday.

Five days after being selected by the Ducks with the No. 2 pick in the 2023 NHL Draft, the 18-year-old center was among 30 participants undergoing strength and agility tests at Anaheim's practice facility.

"It's a big step," Carlsson said.

Carlsson's arrival has long been awaited by the Ducks as well.

He was seven months old the last time Anaheim held one of the top two picks; it chose forward Bobby Ryan at No. 2 in the 2005 NHL Draft.

Since then, the Ducks had selected two forwards among the top nine; center Trevor Zegras at No. 9 in the 2019 NHL Draft and Mason McTavish at No. 3 in the 2021 NHL Draft. Each already has made major contributions in Anaheim.

Just like Zegras and McTavish, Carlsson brings an impressive resume to Orange County.

Most notably, he was the Swedish Junior Hockey Player of the Year last season after he had 25 points (10 goals, 15 assists) in 44 games with Orebro, the most points and assists by a junior player in the Swedish Hockey League (SHL).

Still, the Ducks surprised many when they selected Carlsson instead of fellow center Adam Fantilli, who went to the Columbus Blue Jackets at No. 3.

Anaheim general manager Pat Verbeek has pointed to Carlsson's lofty hockey IQ, creativity and 6-foot-3, 198-pound frame as key factors in giving him a slight nod over Fantilli.

"What I loved about him is his two-way game," Verbeek said of Carlsson. "I think there's potential for him to be a dominant player at both ends of the ice."

Carlsson doesn't expect to grow any taller, but will try to alter his physique in the coming months.

"Just get stronger and bigger and faster is the most important part of summer," he said.

Carlsson had only been off the ice for eight days heading into his first session with the Ducks, but a few things felt different, namely the smaller ice surface and the stiff new gear.

"It was pretty hard tests as well," Carlsson said. "Eight times to skate, so it was hard for my legs, for sure."

Carlsson took a family trip to Los Angeles, San Diego and San Francisco when he was nine years old, but had not been back to California since.

He spent the evening before the start of camp enjoying dinner with fellow Sweden-born Anaheim prospects Video: Leo Carlsson joins NHL Tonight and Video: Leo Carlsson joins NHL Tonight.

Carlsson said his immediate plans were to return home to Karlstad, Sweden, where he'll wait to learn his next move from the Ducks.

Verbeek said after the draft that returning to the SHL next season was among the options for Carlsson, who also could play in a North American junior league; he doesn't turn 19 until Dec. 26.

"Well, we're going to go through that process," Verbeek said, "because obviously he'll be able to go back to Sweden, he can play juniors, [the IIHF] World Junior Championship ... so it will be a summerlong discussion."