Defenseman Rasmus Andersson, who is considered a top prospect eligible for the 2015 NHL Draft, will join the Barrie Colts of the Ontario Hockey League in 2014-15.
The announcement was made on Monday by Colts general manager Jason Ford.
The 6-foot, 214-pound right-shot Andersson spent the past two seasons with Malmo in Sweden's Allsvenskan. This season will mark his first playing hockey in North America.
"Andersson will enter the OHL as a rookie but already brings a wealth of experience; having played against men the past two seasons in Sweden," Ford told barriecolts.com. "He is a well-rounded defenseman that will help stabilize the back-end, and enters the OHL trying to pursue his dream of being an NHL player. We are very excited about this addition to our lineup."
In July, Andersson was named to NHL Central Scouting's Futures list of the top players eligible for 2015 draft in Sunrise, Fla. He is the son of former NHL player Peter Andersson, who played for the New York Rangers and Florida Panthers, and the brother of Calle Andersson, drafted in the fourth round (No. 119) by the New York Rangers in 2012.
Andersson, 17, had three goals, 13 points and a plus-4 rating in 43 games for Malmo in 2013-14. The youngest player on the roster ranked fourth in team scoring among defensemen.
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