The Newest Ducklings: G Frederik Andersen

This is the sixth part of my “The Newest Ducklings” series on the 2012 draftees by the Anaheim Ducks. The previous part was on C Kevin Roy. The pick before Roy was used on goaltender Frederik Andersen.

Andersen is an older draftee at 22-years-old. He is from Herning, Denmark. He is listed at 6’4″-247 lbs. The Carolina Hurricanes actually pick Andersen in the seventh round of the 2010 NHL Entry Draft, but after the two sides couldn’t come to an agreement, Andersen re-entered the draft. Then, the Ducks picked him in the third round of the 2012 NHL Entry Draft, 87th overall.

Andersen began his career playing for his hometown hockey team Herning, in Denmark. He’s been a consistent player named to represent Denmark in the World Junior Championships as well as the World Championships. After spending five years with Herning, Andersen moved to Frederikshavn, which is the same league as Herning. However, last season, Andersen took his game to the Swedish Elite League where he only posted a 1.62 GAA and .943 save percentage with Frolunda. Frolunda was eliminated in the quarterfinals last season and Andersen posted a 2.69 GAA and .911 % in 6 playoff games. Overall, he really tore the league up and Corey Pronman of Hockey Prospectus called Andersen, “the best goalie NOT in North America.”

If you go back and look at his size, he is a huge goaltender. He uses that size to cover up much of the net. He has very good reach and can cover even more ground when having to go post-to-post. Scouting reports say he plays a very modern style in net, so you won’t see him making any Tim Thomas or Martin Brodeur save attempts. I imagine him playing a style similar to fellow European Jonas Hiller. Apparently, Andersen also has a winner’s mentality, which is always a nice thing to have in the locker room. I would imagine that Andersen would remain in Sweden and to continue playing for Frolunda right now with the goaltending depth the Ducks currently have. Obviously, Hiller the starter and either Jeff Deslauriers or Viktor Fasth as the back up. Then one of them will be the starter for the Norfolk Admirals and I think Marco Cousineau could be the back up for the Admirals.

Next up is winger Nicolas Kerdiles.

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