Standing 6-foot-2 and approaching 190 pounds, Jacob Olofsson has the pro-ready frame, goal scoring knack around the net, and international experience that should help him translate well to North American hockey as a two-way contributor.
In 43 games with Timra IK of Sweden's second-tier professional league, Olofsson notched 10 goals, including five game-winners, and 21 total points to tie for second among the league's junior-aged skaters while averaging 17:49 of work per outing.
His efforts were rewarded with the Guldgallret (Golden Gala), given annually to HockeyAllsvenskan's best junior-aged player, adding his name to a list of previous winners that includes names like Filip Forsberg and William Karlsson.
Olofsson does not possess elite-level speed, but he's a more than adequate mover as he regularly finds himself in the right spots at both end of the ice. While known for being tough to knock off the puck with decent finishing aptitude, he does carry a well-developed defensive zone awareness that sees him provide support down low, use his body to separate his man from puck, and step in front of oncoming shots.
Olofsson's draft season was an impressive resume-building experience that acquitted him as a versatile, tireless worker that can win loose puck battles and make the right decision when it hits his stick. He safely projects as one that can take on tough checking assignments, but also step up and score a big goal when needed.
With his home club advancing to the Swedish Hockey League next season, Olofsson's drafting team will likely allow him to play out his current contact with Timra before bringing him over to North America to continue his development with American Hockey League minutes.
Regardless of his timeline, Olofsson's style of play, one that has developed against older competition on an international ice surface, seems to project positively when transplanted into the smaller North American rinks.
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For more on all the youngsters in the Sabres pipeline, check out Kris Baker's website, SabresProspects.com. You can also follow him on Twitter (@SabresProspects).
