Forsbacka Karlsson to Return to Sweden

BOSTON - Bruins forward prospect Jakob Forsbacka Karlsson has decided to return to his native Sweden and intends to sign a contract to play for Vaxjo of the Swedish Hockey League next season, according to general manager Don Sweeney.

"Jakob will continue his professional hockey career and development in the SHL and we support his decision to be closer to his family at this time in his life," said Sweeney. "Over the past few weeks, Jakob has also communicated that he fully intends to resume playing for the Bruins, but for right now he feels playing at home in Sweden is what is best for him."

The 22-year-old Stockholm native has played 29 games with Boston - 28 of them coming this season - registering three goals and six assists for nine points. Forsbacka Karlsson, a 2015 second-round pick (45th overall), made his NHL debut during the regular-season finale in 2016-17, before playing the majority of the last two seasons with the Providence Bruins.

The 6-foot-1, 184-pound centerman notched 48 points (22 goals, 26 assists) over 86 games with the P-Bruins from 2017-19.

Forsbacka Karlsson signed a three-year entry-level contract with Boston on April 2, 2017. Prior to signing with the Bruins, Forsbacka Karlsson served as alternate captain of the Boston University Terriers as a sophomore in 2016-17, posting 14 goals and 19 assists for 33 points with a plus-11 rating.

He was selected to the Hockey East All-Rookie Team as a freshman in 2015-16, after notching 10 goals and 20 assists for 30 points and a plus-4 rating.