Jonathan Dahlen named the Allsvenskan MVP and Top Forward

Yesterday morning, Canucks prospect Jonathan Dahlen collected some hardware from his time with Timra IK this season:

The young Swedish forward ended up back with Timra IK after contracting mono prior to the Young Stars tournament in Penticton. He did appear in some pre-season games with the Utica Comets before it was decided that he would return to his professional team in Sweden and work his way back to full strength. It took him a few games to get his feet under him but he then couldn’t be stopped. Having watched the majority of Timra IK’s games over the course of the season, it can confidently be said that Dahlen was the best player on the ice for many nights. This isn’t an indication of how poor the Allsvenskan is but more of a glimpse on what the Canucks might have in Dahlen. The Ostersund native ended the season with 23 goals and 21 assists in 44 games, which was good for 2nd in league scoring behind Emil Molin.

Dahlen took another step forward in the playoffs, posting eight goals and six assists in ten games. He helped lead Timra IK to promotion into the SHL for the 2018-19 season after they stormed back from a 3-1 series deficit to win in Game 7.

Last season, Dahlen received the Guldgallret, which is awarded to the best junior player in the Allsvenskan after finishing that 2016-17 campaign with the most goals and points by a junior player.

His season wasn’t finished there as he headed to the AHL to close out the season with the Comets – He had one goal and one assist in two regular season games and then had one assist in four playoff games with Utica.

Dahlen’s resume in the Allsvenskan is impressive and well deserved. The fact that he remained with Timra with hopes of getting them promoted to the SHL and then achieving that goal is a good indication of that type of character and player that Dahlen is.

At the time, the Alexandre Burrows trade to acquire Dahlen looked like a very good move by the organization that now had their eyes on the future. With another 15 months in the rearview mirror, the deal is looking even better.

Dahlen is expected to start the season in Utica for next year but his previous chemistry with Elias Pettersson and his overall game could mean that we see Dahlen with the Canucks shortly after that.