Lias Andersson (born 13 October 1998) is a Swedish professional ice hockey forward for EHC Biel-Bienne of the National League (NL). He was selected in the first round, seventh overall, by the New York Rangers of the National Hockey League (NHL) in the 2017 NHL Entry Draft. Andersson has also previously played for the Los Angeles Kings.

Lias Andersson
Andersson with the Los Angeles Kings in 2022
Born (1998-10-13) 13 October 1998 (age 26)
Smögen, Sweden
Height 6 ft 1 in (185 cm)
Weight 190 lb (86 kg; 13 st 8 lb)
Position Centre
Shoots Left
NL team
Former teams
EHC Biel-Bienne
HV71
Frölunda HC
New York Rangers
Los Angeles Kings
National team  Sweden
NHL draft 7th overall, 2017
New York Rangers
Playing career 2015–present

Playing career

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Andersson made his Swedish Hockey League (SHL) debut with HV71 during the 2015–16 season.[1] In the following 2016–17 season, able to accept a larger role, Andersson appeared in 42 games in the regular season, contributing with 9 goals and 19 points. He appeared in every postseason game in compiling 4 goals and 5 point in 16 games to help HV71 capture their fifth Le Mat Trophy.

On 8 May 2017, Andersson opted to leave HV71 and agreed to a two-year contract to link up with Frölunda HC. It marked a return in continuing his heritage, as he spent his childhood with the club, as his father gained an icon status during his tenure with Frölunda.[2] He was selected by the New York Rangers of the National Hockey League (NHL), seventh overall, in the 2017 NHL Entry Draft. Following his selection by the Rangers, Andersson signed to a three-year, entry-level contract in July 2017.[3]

In the 2017–18 season, Andersson made his debut with Frölunda HC and appeared in 22 games, registering 7 goals and 14 points, before leaving the club to attend his second World Junior Championships. Following the conclusion of the tournament, Andersson left the SHL and was re-assigned by the Rangers to make his North American debut in joining their American Hockey League (AHL) affiliate, the Hartford Wolf Pack on 19 January 2018.[4] On 25 March, Andersson was called up by the Rangers and made his NHL debut against the Washington Capitals at Madison Square Garden the next day.[5] He scored his first career NHL goal in his debut, making him the youngest Rangers player to score a goal in their debut, surpassing Mike Allison.[6] Andersson was subsequently sent back to the AHL thereafter.[7]

Andersson began the 2018–19 season in the AHL after being cut from the Rangers 2018 training camp.[8] After recording 12 points in 14 games for the Hartford Wolf Pack, Andersson was recalled to the NHL on 5 November 2018.[9] On 21 December 2019, it was reported by Darren Dreger that Andersson had formally asked the New York Rangers for a trade.[10] However, on 26 January 2020, the Rangers opted to loan Andersson to HV71 of the SHL.[11] Andersson's tenure with the Rangers officially ended in October 2020 as he was dealt to the Los Angeles Kings in exchange for Vegas' second-round pick in 2020.[12][13]

Andersson finished the season with HV71, playing 15 games and began the 2020–21 season with HV71, playing 19 games before coming to Los Angeles for NHL training camp.[14] He split the NHL season between Los Angeles and their AHL affiliate, the Ontario Reign. Andersson scored his first goal for the Kings on 24 January 2021, against Ville Husso in a 6–3 win over the St. Louis Blues.[15] On 30 July, Andersson re-signed with Los Angeles to a one-year, two-way contract.[16] In the 2021–22 season, Andersson appeared in 20 games for the Kings, scoring one goal and two points. He signed a one-year extension with Los Angeles on 11 July 2022.[17] The 2022–23 season saw Andersson spend the majority of the year with the Reign, appearing only once for Los Angeles.[18]

On 2 July 2023, Andersson as a free agent signed a one-year, two-way contract with the Montreal Canadiens.[19] Andersson attended the Canadiens 2023 training camp but was placed on waivers with the intent on assigning him to Montreal's AHL affiliate, the Laval Rocket. After going unclaimed, Andersson was assigned to Laval to start the 2023–24 season.[18]

In June 2024, Andersson left the Canadiens organization and signed a two-year contract with EHC Biel-Bienne of the Switzerland-based National League (NL).[20]

International play

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Medal record
Representing   Sweden
Men's ice hockey
World Championships
  2018 Denmark
World Junior Championship
  2018 United States

Andersson was named to Team Sweden for the 2016 IIHF World U18 Championships and helped Sweden win silver by putting up nine points in seven games.[21] He was again named to Team Sweden for the 2017 World Junior Ice Hockey Championships, where he scored three goals. He was named captain to Team Sweden for the 2018 World Junior Ice Hockey Championships,[22] where he helped guide the team to a silver medal, and in a controversial display, threw it into the crowd in frustration.[23] For this action, he was suspended from four games during the 2019 World Junior Ice Hockey Championships.[24]

In April 2018, he was named to Sweden's 2018 IIHF World Championship team,[25] and Sweden won gold.

Personal life

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Andersson's father Niklas played in 165 NHL games, while his uncle Mikael played in 761 NHL games.

Career statistics

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Regular season and playoffs

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Regular season Playoffs
Season Team League GP G A Pts PIM GP G A Pts PIM
2012–13 Kungälvs IK J18 23 4 1 5 2
2013–14 Kungälvs IK J18 32 18 19 37 76
2013–14 Kungälvs IK J20 II 1 0 0 0 0 2 0 0 0 0
2014–15 HV71 J18 11 6 9 15 20
2014–15 HV71 J18 Allsv 2 0 4 4 0 4 2 2 4 2
2014–15 HV71 J20 25 6 3 9 16 6 0 2 2 0
2015–16 HV71 J18 1 1 1 2 0
2015–16 HV71 J18 Allsv 1 0 4 4 0
2015–16 HV71 J20 37 24 35 59 91 1 2 0 2 2
2015–16 HV71 SHL 22 0 0 0 6 4 0 0 0 0
2016–17 HV71 J20 3 2 0 2 2
2016–17 HV71 SHL 42 9 10 19 18 16 4 1 5 18
2017–18 Frölunda HC SHL 22 7 7 14 20
2017–18 Hartford Wolf Pack AHL 25 5 9 14 8
2017–18 New York Rangers NHL 7 1 1 2 0
2018–19 Hartford Wolf Pack AHL 36 6 14 20 25
2018–19 New York Rangers NHL 42 2 4 6 29
2019–20 New York Rangers NHL 17 0 1 1 4
2019–20 Hartford Wolf Pack AHL 13 4 1 5 14
2019–20 HV71 SHL 15 7 5 12 6
2020–21 HV71 SHL 19 5 6 11 4
2020–21 Los Angeles Kings NHL 23 3 3 6 12
2020–21 Ontario Reign AHL 15 6 11 17 0 1 1 0 1 0
2021–22 Los Angeles Kings NHL 20 1 1 2 12
2021–22 Ontario Reign AHL 4 6 0 6 2
2022–23 Ontario Reign AHL 67 31 28 59 38 2 2 1 3 2
2022–23 Los Angeles Kings NHL 1 0 0 0 0
2023–24 Laval Rocket AHL 53 21 24 45 33
SHL totals 120 28 28 56 54 20 4 1 5 18
NHL totals 110 7 10 17 57

International

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Year Team Event Result GP G A Pts PIM
2014 Sweden U17   6 1 3 4 2
2015 Sweden IH18   5 0 0 0 18
2016 Sweden WJC18   7 5 4 9 8
2017 Sweden WJC 4th 7 3 0 3 6
2018 Sweden WJC   7 6 1 7 6
2018 Sweden WC   10 1 1 2 4
Junior totals 32 15 8 23 40
Senior totals 10 1 1 2 4

Awards and honors

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Award Year Ref
SHL
Le Mat Trophy champion 2017 [26]

References

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  1. ^ "Statistik - SHL.se". shl.se. Archived from the original on 25 April 2016. Retrieved 25 April 2016.
  2. ^ "24:an går i arv" [The 24 is inherited] (in Swedish). Frölunda HC. 8 May 2017. Archived from the original on 8 May 2017. Retrieved 8 May 2017.
  3. ^ "Rangers agree to terms with forward Lias Andersson". New York Rangers. 14 July 2017. Retrieved 14 July 2017 – via NHL.com.
  4. ^ Hartford Wolf Pack [@WolfPackAHL] (19 January 2018). "[NEWS] The @NYRangers have assigned Lias Andersson to the Hartford Wolf Pack" (Tweet). Retrieved 19 January 2018 – via Twitter.
  5. ^ "Rangers recall 2017 first-rounders Lias Andersson, Filip Chytil". Sportsnet. 25 March 2018. Retrieved 26 March 2018.
  6. ^ "Andersson scores in first game with Rangers in front of proud family". National Hockey League. 27 March 2018. Retrieved 27 March 2018.
  7. ^ "Rangers' Lias Andersson: Moves back to minor league". CBS Sports. 7 April 2018. Retrieved 30 April 2018.
  8. ^ "Rangers Reduce Training Camp Roster". New York Rangers. 27 September 2018. Retrieved 6 November 2018 – via NHL.com.
  9. ^ "Rangers Recall Lias Andersson From Hartford". New York Rangers. 5 November 2018. Retrieved 6 November 2018 – via NHL.com.
  10. ^ "Andersson asks Rangers for trade". TSN. 21 December 2019. Retrieved 23 December 2019.
  11. ^ "Rangers Loan Lias Andersson to HV71 of Swedish Hockey League". New York Rangers. 26 January 2020. Retrieved 26 January 2020 – via NHL.com.
  12. ^ Rosen, Dan (7 October 2020). "Andersson traded to Kings by Rangers for second-round pick". National Hockey League. Retrieved 3 February 2021.
  13. ^ "Rangers trade Andersson to Kings". TSN. 7 October 2020. Retrieved 7 October 2020.
  14. ^ Dillman, Lisa (3 January 2021). "Lias Andersson, looking for a fresh start, is set up to succeed with the Kings". The Athletic. Retrieved 14 November 2023.
  15. ^ Knoll, Andrew (24 January 2021). "Kings overpower Blues with early barrage of goals". Los Angeles Daily News. Retrieved 14 November 2023.
  16. ^ "Kings sign forward Lias Andersson to one-year, two-way deal". Sportsnet. 30 July 2021. Retrieved 14 November 2023.
  17. ^ "Los Angeles Kings bring back Carl Grundstrom, Lias Andersson, let Brendan Lemieux try free agency". ESPN. 11 July 2022. Retrieved 14 November 2023.
  18. ^ a b Zurkowsky, Herb (18 October 2023). "Lias Andersson hoping to salvage career in Canadiens' organization". Montreal Gazette. Retrieved 14 November 2023.
  19. ^ "Canadiens sign Lias Andersson to a one-year contract". Montreal Canadiens. 2 July 2023. Retrieved 2 July 2023 – via NHL.com.
  20. ^ O'Brien, Derek (19 June 2024). "Former 7th overall pick Lias Andersson heading to Switzerland". The Hockey News. Retrieved 19 June 2024.
  21. ^ Hodges, Erin (12 June 2017). "Lias Andersson, Hear Him Roar". Colorado Avalanche. Retrieved 6 January 2018 – via NHL.com.
  22. ^ @NYRStatsInfo (23 December 2017). "NYR prospect Lias Andersson will serve as Sweden's captain at the 2018 IIHF World Junior Championship" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
  23. ^ Traikos, Michael (5 January 2018). "Frustrated Sweden captain Lias Andersson tosses silver medal into crowd". Toronto Sun. Retrieved 6 January 2018.
  24. ^ Bottomley, Andrew (2 May 2018). "Dahlin among Swedish players, coaches suspended by IIHF". Sportsnet. Retrieved 9 May 2018.
  25. ^ @NYRStatsInfo (29 April 2018). "Lias Andersson and Mika Zibanejad have been named to Sweden's roster for the 2018 IIHF World Championship. #NYR" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
  26. ^ "HV71 wins championship" (in Swedish). aftonbladet.se. 30 April 2017. Retrieved 30 April 2017.
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Awards and achievements
Preceded by New York Rangers first round draft pick
2017
Succeeded by