Rookie Rewind: Anton Lindholm

ColoradoAvalanche.com is profiling players who just completed their rookie seasons with the organization. This installment takes a look at defenseman Anton Lindholm.
Anton Lindholm provided depth on the backend for the Colorado Avalanche in the 2017-18 season, playing in 48 games and averaging 2.1 hits per outing, ranking second among team defensemen.

The campaign was his fourth in the Avalanche organization after being selected in the fifth round of the 2014 NHL Draft. He then spent two seasons playing pro hockey in his hometown of Skelleftea, Sweden, before signing a three-year, entry-level contract with the Avs on May 24, 2016.
Lindholm participated in his second NHL season last year after playing in 12 games and registering seven shots at the end of 2016-17.
While he wasn't on the Avs' opening-night roster to begin last season, he spent nearly the entire year with the club. He was called up from the San Antonio Rampage of the American Hockey League on Oct. 6--the day following opening night--and remained with the club for the next six-plus months.
The Swede tallied four assists during his first full season in the league and recorded 99 hits, ranking sixth among all NHL rookies.
"I really like what I see. I think he's a real competitive kid, and he skates really well," Avs head coach Jared Bednar said of Lindholm's style during the year. "So you put those two things together, and he's an aggressive defender. If he's making a mistake, it's an aggressive mistake. He closes quickly, he's physical. He's got that edge to him. Again, the skating really helps him set tight gaps and be difficult to play against."

The 5-foot-11, 191-pound blueliner faced a couple injuries throughout the season, missing nine games with a fractured jaw and another five games with an upper-body injury. However, he persevered through those setbacks and appeared in a career-high 20 straight NHL contests in January and February, something he will look to build upon in the future.
On Jan. 25 in an outing at the St. Louis Blues, Lindholm tallied his first NHL point. He assisted on a goal by Alexander Kerfoot late in the second period, as his shot from the point went off teammate Tyson Jost's stick, rebounded off goalie Carter Hutton and right to Kerfoot in the low slot.
"It was nice, and a nice play," Bednar said of Lindholm's assist. "He got the puck up at the point, and he was under some pressure and he pulled it into the shooting lane and got it away quick."
Skating proved key in helping Lindholm remain consistent in the Avalanche lineup. He is quick to transition the puck out of the defensive zone and isn't afraid to engage in an offensive push, important aspects in today's NHL.
"Just another thing I can get more involved in, skating up, joining the offensive rush," said Lindholm about his style of play. "I trust my skating ability, and I know that I can be a part of it if I put my mind to it. Just get to the net and good things happen."
After having another summer to focus on development, Lindholm will look to continue improving and contribute to the Avalanche in the future.