Frölunda Hockey

Fantasy Summary

An intelligent center with well-rounded tools, Dower Nilsson needs to learn to consistently use his motor and refine his physical tools to project to the NHL.


Observations

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July 2023 – The 2023 third round pick appeared in 37 games for Frolunda’s junior team this past season, registering 26 goals and 28 assists. He then shined at the World Junior Championships with two goals and four assists in seven games for the Tre Kronor. The 18-year-old center joins his brother Liam, who was also drafted by the Wings as a fifth round pick in 2021. During the 2022-23 campaign, the younger of the Dower Nilsson brothers got his first taste of playing against men. He saw three games of action with Frolunda in the SHL and made his debut skating alongside his older brother. Dower Nilsson is known as an offensive playmaker who can drive play in the neutral zone, but who also is not afraid to shoot the puck when the opportunity rises. He is strong on the forecheck and possesses the 200-foot game that Detroit looks for. While at development camp, the 73rd overall pick admitted to have some shoulder issues this past season and recently underwent surgery, putting him on the shelf for two months. While he will miss the World Junior Summer Showcase, he is expected to suit up for Frolunda once again this upcoming season, where his game will continue to evolve. The Red Wings organization may have found themselves another steal in the third round. He is one to keep an eye on for 2023-24 season. Evan Sabourin

 

June 2023 – Dower Nilsson was selected 73rd overall by the Red Wings. Pat Quinn

 

December 2022 – With a comfortable lead in points among draft eligibles in the J20 Nationell, it’s safe to say that Dower Nilsson’s season has been a success. You’ll regularly find Dower Nilsson receiving a pass in the upper inside corner of the left faceoff circle and quickly firing a shot or pass off. Additionally, he can beat goalies from short-range or clean-up net front if needed. Overall, Dower Nilsson plays an aggressive, offensive-minded game, which also includes his strength on the forecheck. An area for improvement in Dower Nilsson’s game is his skating. Though he has proven some agility and average skating, his offensive toolkit would improve further with quicker, stronger skating. His play in the J20 this season makes it evident that Dower Nilsson deserves an opportunity at the next level. In recent years, Frölunda has proved to be a challenging team to earn time in as a draft-eligible, so chances professionally may require a loan at some point. Alexa Potack

Attributes
Fantasy Upside 6.5
NHL Certainty 7.0
Country SWE
Position C
Roster Type Europe
Shoot/Glove Left
Date of Birth April 25, 2005
Height 6‘0”
Weight 183 lbs
Drafted 2023 Round 3; Overall: 73

Stats

 Season Team League GP G A TP PIM      Playoffs GP G A TP PIM 
 2018-2019 Frölunda HC U16 2U16 Div.17 1 67 2|Playoffs3 1 01
  Frölunda HC U16 3U16 Div.24 9 514 4|        
  Frölunda HC U16U16 Region1 0 11 0|        
 2019-2020 GöteborgTV-Pucken5 1 01 0|        
  Frölunda HC U16U16 Region21 14 1125 8|Playoffs QC3 3 47
  Frölunda HC U16U16 SM2 0 00 0|        
 2020-2021 Frölunda HC U16U16 Region6 7 1219 8|        
  GöteborgTV-Pucken3 2 35 0|        
  Frölunda HC J18J18 Region3 0 00 2|        
 2021-2022 Frölunda HC J18J18 Region10 3 912 2|        
  Frölunda HC J18J18 Nationell7 7 815 6|Playoffs4 3 36
  Frölunda HC J20J20 Nationell12 2 24 2|        
  Sweden U17 (all)International-Jr9 5 712 8|        
 2022-2023 Sweden U18 Hlinka Gretzky Cup5 1 34 2|        
  Frölunda HC J18J18 Region4 5 712 24|        
  Sweden U18 WJAC-192 0 00 0|        
  Frölunda HC J18J18 Nationell3 3 36 4|Playoffs5 1 56 20 
  Frölunda HC J20J20 Nationell37 26 2854 10|Playoffs2 0 22
  Frölunda HCSHL3 0 00 0|        
  Sweden U18WJC-187 2 46 6|        
  Sweden U18 (all)International-Jr19 5 813 10|        
 2023-2024 Frölunda HC J20J20 Nationell3 3 14 2|        
  Frölunda HCSHL5 1 12 0|        
  Frölunda HCSpengler Cup4 1 01 0|        
  IF BjörklövenHockeyAllsvenskan1 0 00 0|        
 2024-2025 Frölunda HCSHL16 2 35 4|        
  Sweden U20 (all)International-Jr2 0 11 4|        

Highlights