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The Toronto Maple Leafs have signed Swedish prospect Andreas Johnson to a three-year entry level contract.

Coming off rookie of the year honours in 2013-14, the 20 year old Johnson had another great season in 2014-15, finishing as one of the top goal scorers in the SHL. He ranked 21st in points in the Swedish Elite League with 35 points in 55 games, and fifth in goal scoring with 22 goals in 35 games. Among prospects under the age of 24, he was third in the league in points and first in goals.

https://twitter.com/b1rky/status/571435186484879363

While this could change his plans, at last check Johnson was committed to playing another season for Frolunda over in Sweden, and getting him signed on his ELC wouldn’t necessarily change that. The Standard Player Contract will slide if he stays overseas.

Sooner or later the Maple Leafs will want to have him come over to the Toronto Marlies and ply his trade here, developing on North American ice, in their facilities and under the helping hand of their revamped development team, but, as stated, it was reported in the Toronto Sun three days ago that he’ll be staying with Frolunda for 2015-16. Worth noting is that Nylander spent part of the year in Sweden last year before the Leafs brought him over to the Marlies for the second half plus the playoffs; that was a unique set of circumstances with the season going sideways for Nylander’s MODO team, but bringing Johnson over the pond at some point would at least be an option now that he’s been signed to his ELC.

In 2013-14, Johnson was named the Swedish Hockey League rookie of the year and won a silver medal with Sweden at the World Junior Hockey Championships. He was drafted by the Maple Leafs in the 7th round (202nd overall) of the 2013 NHL Entry Draft.

A little montage of Johnson’s work in 2014-15: