20200424_kinvall

Johannes Kinnvall signed a two-year, entry-level contract with the Calgary Flames on Tuesday.

"It was always a dream of mine to sign an NHL contract," Kinnvall said. "Now it's a reality. I can't even believe it. This is a great day."

The 22-year-old scored 40 points (11 goals, 29 assists) in 51 games this season for HV71 in the Swedish Hockey League, second-most by a defenseman in Sweden's top professional league.

"This year, when it started, it was a little up and down," Kinnvall said. "The first three months were extremely difficult. I didn't get to play all that much and struggled to make my mark on the team. But after the Christmas break, everything turned upside down. Everything started to click, both for me and the team, and I started to score points. My confidence was really high at that point, too, and everything was going so well. I had fun out there, played my best game. I did everything I had to do. There's no reason to think I can't build on that again next year."

Kinnvall scored 62 points (23 goals, 39 assists) in 121 SHL games. He will play in Sweden next season and is expected tp come to North America starting with the 2021-22 NHL season.

"I need to be stronger and be better with my positional play in the defensive zone," Kinnvall said. "That's what I'm looking to develop right now, and there's no better place to do that. If I can do that, really develop my all-around game with one more year over here, I know I'll be ready for the NHL at that point."

Photo Courtesy: Calgary Flames