Capitals loan Ludwig Persson to Finnish Mestis league’s IPK
The Washington Capitals loaned their 2022 third round draft pick Ludwig Persson to the Finnish club IPK for the 2023 24 season. They are part of the Finish Mestis League (Finland 2). He will be eligible to return to North America at the conclusion of their season.
The 19 year old was selected at 85th overall. He hails from Gothenburg, Sweden and recorded 15 points in 45 games with four goals and 11 assists for BIK Karlskoga of Hockey Allsvenskan (Sweden 2) last season. That is good for ninth on the team in assists. The six foot, 186 pound forward also appeared with Frolunda of the Swedish Hockey League (SHL) in 2022 23.
In 2021 22 prior to getting drafted by the Caps, he had a breakout season. Persson appears in 10 games with Frolunda and played 41 times with Frolunda’s junior team of the Sweden Jr. He had a team high 61 points with 25 goals and 36 assists.
He’s also been a contributor on the international stage. In 2021 22 he had one goal in three games with Sweden’s U 20 team as well as five points with four goals and one assist in three games with the U 19 team.
He also appeared in the 2021 U 18 World Junior Championship where he recorded four points in seven games with two goals and two assists, leading them to a bronze medal.
In an IPK press release, translated to English via Google Translate, Persson expressed excitement about the opportunity ahead:
“This is exciting and I believe that this is a great opportunity for me to take the next step forward in my career.”
Persson not only played overseas last year but when Hockey Allsvenskan ended he got assigned to the AHL’s Hershey Bears over the spring for their Calder Cup run. He didn’t appear in any games.
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Although he was eligible to play for the Bears this upcoming season, the Bears depth chart is already stacked at forward. So sending him over to Finland to get more ice time is the right move.