In a strategic move, the Detroit Red Wings have announced the reassignment of right wing Jonatan Berggren to the Grand Rapids Griffins, a team in the American Hockey League (AHL). At 23 years old, Berggren has already made a significant impact in his current season with the Red Wings, participating in 12 games and amassing six points, including two goals and four assists, along with accruing two penalty minutes.
Standing at 5-foot-11 and weighing 194 pounds, Berggren has not only showcased his skill on the ice but has also emerged as a leading figure for the Griffins. With an impressive tally of 19 goals, 27 assists, and a total of 46 points across 43 games, he tops the charts in goals, assists, points, and shots (129) for the Griffins. His outstanding performance earned him a spot at the 2024 AHL All-Star Classic. During the 2022-23 season, Berggren spent a considerable amount of time with the Red Wings, where he was among the team’s top performers, securing the fifth position in goals (15), ninth in points (28), tied for fourth in power play goals (5), seventh in power play points (9), and leading with a shooting percentage of 15.3% over 67 games. Additionally, he contributed seven points through four goals and three assists in seven games with the Griffins that season.
Since being selected by the Red Wings in the second round (33rd overall) of the 2018 NHL Entry Draft, Berggren has accumulated 34 points (17 goals and 17 assists) and 18 penalty minutes in 79 NHL games. His AHL career with the Griffins, starting from the 2021-22 season, boasts 117 points (44 goals and 73 assists) and 74 penalty minutes over 120 games.
Before his tenure in North America, Berggren played for Skelleftea AIK in the Swedish Hockey League, where he was a standout player. During the 2020-21 season, he matched the team lead with 45 points (12 goals and 33 assists) in 49 games, alongside contributing four assists in 12 playoff games. Over four seasons with Skelleftea AIK, Berggren amassed 60 points (14 goals and 46 assists), a plus-seven rating, and 28 penalty minutes in 99 games. His performance for Skelleftea’s under-20 team was equally impressive, with 69 points (24 goals and 45 assists), a plus-19 rating, and 42 penalty minutes across 67 games from 2016 to 2018.
The Uppsala, Sweden native has also represented his country on the international stage with distinction. At the 2023 IIHF World Championship, Berggren contributed seven points (two goals and five assists), a plus-five rating, and two penalty minutes in eight games. His international accolades include a bronze medal at the 2020 IIHF World Junior Championship, with five points (one goal and four assists) in seven games, and another bronze at the 2018 IIHF World Under-18 Championship, leading his team with 10 points (five goals and five assists) in seven games. Berggren also secured a bronze at the 2017 Ivan Hlinka Memorial Tournament with five points (three goals and two assists) in five games and clinched a gold medal with Sweden at the 2016 World Under-17 Hockey Challenge, tallying three points (two goals and one assist) in six games.
Jonatan Berggren, a right-wing shooter, was born on July 16, 2000, in Uppsala, Sweden. With a height of 5-foot-11 and a weight of 194 pounds, he was chosen by the Detroit Red Wings in the second round, 33rd overall, in the 2018 NHL Entry Draft. His journey from the Swedish leagues to the NHL and AHL underscores a promising career that continues to evolve and excite hockey fans.