Gabriel Carlsson took his first steps on the ice in his hometown of Örebro, 2.5 hours west of the capital Stockholm. In 2013, he joined the Linköping HC organization, where he made his debut in Sweden’s top league, the SHL, one season later as an 18-year-old. The following summer, the talented defenseman was drafted 29th overall in the 1st round of the NHL draft by the Columbus Blue Jackets.
After another season in Sweden, at the end of which he made five appearances in the playoffs for Columbus, the 195 cm tall and 92 kg left-handed shooter took the definitive leap to North America and shuttled back and forth between the NHL franchise in the state of Ohio and its farm team, the Cleveland Monsters. In 2022, the Washington Capitals secured the rights to the free agent, but only used the Swede in six games. He spent the rest of the season with the Hershey Bears (AHL), with whom he won the Calder Cup in 2023.
Last summer, Carlsson decided to return to Europe and signed a contract with the southern Swedish club Växjö Lakers, where he put up 29 points (9 goals, 20 assists) in 53 games with a plus-minus rating of +22. Now the 27-year-old is making use of his opt-out clause and joining EVZ for the next two years.
The EVZ has signed the Swedish defenseman for the next two years.
«Gabriel is a two-way defender with a strong first pass and a good overview of the game.»
Reto Kläy, General Manager EVZ
With the signing of Carlsson, it is clear that the EVZ will start the new season with three import defensemen together with Niklas Hansson and Lukas Bengtsson.
