By the Numbers Prospects: Elmer Söderblom

By the Numbers will highlight the on-ice accomplishments in the 2019-20 season for the Detroit Red Wings' prospects. Twice a week during the offseason, By the Numbers will profile a different player in the system, focusing on his statistical highs. This week we focus on forward Elmer Söderblom.

Elmer Söderblom stands head and shoulders above all other Red Wings prospects -- in the literal sense.

At 6-foot-7, Söderblom is a very big young man who doesn't even turn 19 until July 5.

The Wings took Söderblom in the sixth round, 159th overall, in last summer's NHL Entry Draft in Vancouver.

Söderblom and defenseman Gustav Berglund, Detroit's other sixth-round pick, 177th overall, in 2019, had a unique opportunity to participate in the NHL Prospect Tournament last fall in Traverse City.

Normally, since European leagues start earlier, those players remain overseas with their teams.

Söderblom and Berglund were part of the team that helped Detroit's prospects win the tournament for only the second time.

One of the notable things about Söderblom's play was his willingness to hold onto the puck rather than just dumping it in the zone.

Like many bigger guys, Söderblom will need some time to develop but he will have a great opportunity next season as he is expected to play the majority of the season for Frölunda HC in the Swedish Hockey League, Sweden's top league.

36- Söderblom played 36 games for Frölunda HC J20 in Sweden's SuperElit this past season.

10 - The big forward also played 10 games for Frölunda HC in the Swedish Hockey League.

5 - Söderblom had a five-game point streak from Sept. 22-Oct. 5. He was also loaned to Tingsryds AIF in Allsvenskan, Sweden's second-highest league, for five games.

29 - While playing for Frölunda HC J20, Söderblom scored 29 goals in his 36 games, which led the team. Daniel Torgersson was second with 26 goals.

26 - Also in those 36 games, Söderblom added 26 assists, which was third on Frölunda HC J20. Karl Henriksson led the team with 35 assists and Theodor Niederbach was second with 33.

55 - Söderblom's 55 points led Frölunda HC J20. Isac Andersson was second with 49 points and Niederbach was third with 48. During the 2018-19 season, Söderblom had just 17 points in 44 games for Frölunda HC J20.

22 - Söderblom was fourth on Frölunda HC J20 at plus-22. Torgersson was first at plus-38, Victor Mancini was second at plus-28 and Andersson was third at plus-25.

10 - With 10 penalty minutes, Söderblom was one of the least-penalized players on Frölunda HC J20, ranking 16th on the team. Simon Edvinsson also had 10 penalty minutes but in just eight games instead of 36. Defefenseman Måns Krämer led the team with 61 penalty minutes in 37 games.

Quotable: "He's a huge kid, he's 6-7, 200 pounds. I think he's a late bloomer in terms of skill and just kind of production. He had a fantastic year this year, finishing close to the top of the league in J20 scoring. He played 10 games up in the SHL, played five games in the Allsvenskan, which is second league there. I know Frölunda, their team is very happy with him. I think they envision him playing in the men's league next year. I think he's another one, he's just trying to figure out who he is and what he can be. He's got some good scoring, some natural scoring ability. Obviously for a big kid, too, we just need to get him stronger, more mobile, get his feet a little bit quicker just to increase his mobility a little bit. It's the same with all these really bigger, bigger guys. It's are they going to be able to move well enough on the ice in order to keep up with the pace in the NHL and the quickness. Because he's obviously going to have the strength, he's a very, very strong guy. He tested at the top of our class in development camp last year. We like his scoring ability, we like his size, he's a guy that can play center or wing. There's a lot of upside there so it seems to be a good late-round pick." -- Shawn Horcoff, director of player development and assistant director of player personnel