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Red Wings End Andreasson Experiment After One Season

Andreasson sign as a free agent with Red Wings last spring

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Pontus Andreasson, Griffins
After one season with the AHL Grand Rapids Griffins, forward Pontus Andreasson is returning to Sweden. (Photo by Nicolas Carrillo/Griffins)

The arrival of Pontus Andreasson to the Detroit Red Wings was a move with much fanfare accompanying it. Andreasson’s departure from North American hockey is being greeted with much less pomp and circumstance.

Following one season with the AHL Grand Rapids Griffins, Andreasson is returning home to play for the same club from which Detroit signed him a year ago – Lulea of the SHL.

“I had a good adventure in North America, where I matured further in the game and believe that I will be able to contribute a little more all over the ice than last time,” Andreasson told the Lulea club website in the announcement of his return to Swedish hockey.

In 63 AHL games with the Griffins in 2022-23, the 24-year-old left-winger was good for 12 goals and 13 assists. He was also an alarming -20.

Other than a brief glimmer during which he collected 11 points during a 10-game stretch in November, it was rough sledding for 5-foot-11, 183-pound Andreasson in the AHL.  He endured goalless droughts of 10, nine and seven games in length. There was a 14-game stretch over which he was held without a point.

In his last 33 games with the Griffins, Andreasson accounted for only seven points.

Andreasson Arrived With Promise

Last season, his first in the SHL, saw Andreasson wind up as runner up in the league’s rookie-of-the-year balloting. He had 18 goals and 20 assists in 52 regular-season games.

During the SHL playoffs, Andreasson led all postseason goal scorers with eight. His totals were including a hat-trick and an overtime winner as Lulea marched all the way to the league final.

“I really enjoyed the first turn in Norrbotten and am looking forward to meeting all the players who remain and getting to know the new ones in the team,” Andreasson said.

His deal with Lulea is for four seasons.

“We have all seen what he can contribute and it feels extra good that we have agreed on a longer agreement with Pontus,” Lulea general manager Stefan Nilsson said.