The Newest Ducklings: D Hampus Lindholm

This is the eighth and final part of my “The Newest Ducklings” series on the 2012 draftees of the Anaheim Ducks. The previous part was on LW Nicolas Kerdiles. This final part of the series is on defenseman Hampus Lindholm.

Lindholm is an 18-year-old from Helsingborg, Sweden. He is listed at 6’2″-192 lbs. The Ducks selected him in the first round of the 2012 NHL Entry Draft with the sixth overall pick.

Hampus Lindholm has been a part of Rogle in Sweden for the last two years. He split last season between Rogle’s U-18 team, Rogle’s U-20 team, and Rogle’s top tier team. However, Rogle was not in the Swedish Elite League (SEL), they were in their minor league. Next season, though, Rogle will be in the SEL after they were promoted after their success this past season. Lindholm tallied a total of 24 points in 49 games played between the three different levels. He also represented Sweden in the 2012 Under-18 World Junior Championships, recording four assists in six games played. During the playoffs last season, Lindholm shined scoring one goal and four assists for five points in 10 playoff games with six PIM and was +5.

Lindholm has become a very good defensive prospect for his all-around play. He can play what ever kind of style that his team needs him to play. He is also a complete skater with good speed, acceleration, balance and agility. He’s also good at handling the puck when he jumps in to help the rush. He has very good hockey instincts and doesn’t lose his cool under tense, high-pressure situations. Possibly his best attribute is his endurance. He has the ability to play major minutes and actually set a record on the endurance bike test at the NHL Scouting Combine that happened before the draft. He will play physically, but he’s not a guy that will hit everything that moves. Hampus Lindholm doesn’t really have to many weaknesses. He is just very solid all-around. He impressed during the Ducks’ Prospect Conditioning Camp last week and I wouldn’t be surprised to see him get a call to be invited to training camp. However, I don’t see him playing for the Ducks this season. I think he will return to Rogle and continue to develop.

Hampus Lindholm on being drafted:

"“I had talked with Anaheim before, so I knew they were interested. I didn’t know they were going to pick me so early. They said I should go between 10 and 15. Anaheim is a good team. It’s going to be fun. It was happy moment to be picked sixth. It was a very good experience. I wasn’t ready for it because I didn’t know I was going to be picked so early. Anaheim, I had talked with them before. I love the guys there, all the scouts and executives. It was a happy feeling that came to me. I hugged my parents and my agent. I’m very proud to be a part of the Anaheim. It’s a good team I think and some good years are going to come in the future.”"

I hope everyone enjoyed the series, I certainly enjoyed learning a bit more about the newest members of the Ducks nest. I am feeling positive about this draft and the players the Ducks got. I’m looking forward to see how these young guys develop.

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