| Linus Hemstrom | Kingston Frontenacs | OHL | R | RW | 6’0″ | 172 | Kingston Fronteacs | 2022 | Gavle, SWE | 2004 | 2022-2023: Free Agent 2021-2022: C+ |
OHL: Kingston vs Oshawa, December 28, 2022: Hemstrom totaled 16:43 in ice time including 1:36 while shorthanded. He did not play on the power play. As a penalty killer he played in short straight lines and used an active stick to take away passing lanes. On a third period kill he took a deflected puck to the face, but did not stay down on the ice. Instead he regrouped to stay focused on the kill and was able to get his stick on two separate royal road passing attempts. He showed a nice first touch as well as the ability to pull poor passes from his feet without breaking stride or needing to over handle the puck before making the next play. Hemstrom had a primary assist on a play that came off a line rush where he had to expand his shooting zone before firing a sweeping 12″ wrister that went far pad for backdoor tap-in. He finished the game +1 with a an empty net goal, 1 primary assist on an intentional far pad rebound, 4 shots, 2 grade “A” opportunities, 1/2 on face-offs, 0 hits, received 1 hard hit, had 2 shots miss the net, 5 giveaways, 0 takeaways and he won 54% of his 13 puck battles.
OHL: Kingston vs Flint, December 4, 2022: Hemstrom totaled 20:35 in ice time including 3:09 while on the power play and 2:03 while shorthanded. He finished the game even with 1 assist, 3 shots, 2 grade “A” opportunities, 3/5 on face-offs, 2 hits, had 1 shot blocked, 7 giveaways, 3 takeaways and he won 26% of his 19 puck battles.
OHL: Kingston vs Oshawa, October 23, 2022: I watched Linus last Thursday and again Sunday vs Oshawa. Although not drafted last year I just can’t see him going undrafted this year. He is in his first year in the OHL, having come over from Sweden. He is second in team scoring as a first year player, and contributes every shift. His skating is excellent. He can hit holes with speed, challenge defensemen with wide attacks or put pucks deep into offensive zone and arrive first to the battle. His shot is quick release and accurate and as such his coach uses him as bumper man on the PP. In the offensive zone he loves the slot and his feet are always moving to get away from checks and into open ice. His edge work is terrific and therefore he is a dangerous small ice skater. Should be interesting to see how fast Linus develops in this league. Game Grade: B (Scout: Marlin Muylaert)
Neutral Zone NHL: Why a draft pick, he is a slight right-shot forward who can play both wings. As a puck carrier, he shows deception and creativity, but we like that he works to create open ice for his linemates when he doesn’t have the puck. He had thirteen points in eight J18 games and nineteen in thirty-six J20 games. He keeps his feet moving through body contact which leads to him drawing penalties. 59% of his shots hit the net. Why not a draft pick, although he was a member of Sweden’s U18 World Championship team he had zero points and averaged under seven minutes of ice time. He won 37% of his puck battles.