Florida Panthers men’s ice hockey prospect Linus Eriksson is continuing his development after his first full professional season in the Swedish Hockey League and Sweden’s gold-medal run at the 2026 IIHF World Junior Championship.
Eriksson played 43 games for Timra IK and recorded seven points, including two goals and five assists. He received at least 15 minutes of ice time in eight of his final 12 SHL games as his role grew late in the season.
Eriksson helped Sweden win gold
Eriksson played seven games at the 2026 IIHF World Junior Championship and finished with two points, including one goal and one assist, along with a plus-1 rating. He ranked fifth on Sweden in ice time at 17:28 during the team’s 4-2 championship-game win over Czechia.
Eriksson also opened the scoring for Sweden in its semifinal against Finland. Sweden went on to win the gold medal, an achievement Eriksson called the best thing he had ever done in his life.
“It was awesome,” said Eriksson, who opened the scoring for Sweden against Finland in the semifinal. “Best thing I’ve ever done in my life. Just a special group. Felt directly when I met the group that we had something special, and we won gold. It was awesome.”
Growing role in the SHL
The Florida Panthers selected Eriksson in the second round, 58th overall, of the 2024 NHL Draft. The forward from Stockholm spent his first full professional season with Timra IK in the SHL and will continue to develop in the league during the upcoming season.
Eriksson said the daily competition against older and stronger players supported his development. “I think it was good for me,” said Eriksson, who will continue to develop in the SHL in the upcoming season. “The SHL is a really good league right now. It’s good for me to be there on a daily basis, train and compete with those guys.”
Eriksson brought that experience to Florida Panthers development camp in Fort Lauderdale, Fla. He captained his hand-picked team to a 4-1 win in the intrasquad game that closed camp, and the trip marked his third summer visit to Fort Lauderdale.
“It’s the third time now,” the Stockholm native said of his annual summer trip to Fort Lauderdale. “I’ve learned a lot. Getting more confidence to be here. Getting to learn all the coaches and players, too. It feels good. … It’s been so good. A smaller group [at camp], so more individual [time]. Off ice, on ice, it’s been a great few days here.”
Patric Hornqvist provides a Swedish connection
Patric Hornqvist has been part of the Florida Panthers hockey operations department since retiring in 2023. He played 901 NHL games, including 131 with the Florida Panthers, won two Stanley Cups with the Pittsburgh Penguins and helped Sweden win gold at the 2018 IIHF World Championship.
Eriksson said he has spoken with Hornqvist frequently in Sweden and appreciates having him around the Florida Panthers organization. “He’s a good guy,” Eriksson said of Hornqvist. “I’ve talked to him a lot back home in Sweden. It’s great to have him here.”
Eriksson said his approach to reaching the NHL is straightforward. “Just play hard, compete, play with speed and be a good teammate,” he said.
Source: Original report