Frölunda Hockey

Fantasy Summary

A finesse offensive player with a solid defensive foundation. He needs extra development time to improve his skills and become anything more than a career SHL player.


Observations

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June 2025 – Dower Nilsson looked to establish himself in the SHL in 2024 after he missed almost his entire D+1 season due to multiple shoulder injuries that required surgery. The results? He has a lot of catching up to do. He appeared in 35 games for Frolunda for his first full season in the SHL, tallying four goals, six assists for 10 pints and barely getting any usage during the playoffs. Season-ending injuries during critical development time in a prospect’s career typically does not bode well for their long-term outlook. That being said, Dower Nilsson has two more years in Sweden before the Red Wings need to make a decision on signing him. If he can find his game, develop his skating, quick processing, and stay in the lineup consistently, he might have a shot of transitioning over to North America in 2027 to keep his NHL dreams alive. Otherwise, he might be destined as a career SHLer. Jeff Grybel

 

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 3.5
NHL Certainty 4.5
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
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Stats – Frozen Tools – Profile on FT

SeasonLeagueTeamGPGAPTSPIM+/-
2024-2025SHLFrolunda HC35461010-1
2023-2024Spengler CupFrolunda HC410101
2023-2024SHLFrolunda HC511201
2023-2024J20 NationellFrolunda HC J2033142-3
2023-2024HockeyAllsvenskanIF Bjorkloven100000
2022-2023WJC-18Sweden U18724662
2022-2023WJAC-19Sweden U18200000
2022-2023SHLFrolunda HC30000-1
2022-2023J20 NationellFrolunda HC J20372628541029
2022-2023J18 RegionFrolunda HC J1845712249
2022-2023J18 NationellFrolunda HC J18333643
2022-2023Hlinka Gretzky CupSweden U18513420
2021-2022J20 NationellFrolunda HC J201222420
2021-2022J18 RegionFrolunda HC J1810391224
2021-2022J18 NationellFrolunda HC J187781569
2020-2021U16 RegionFrolunda HC U1667121980
2020-2021TV-PuckenGoteborg323500
2020-2021J18 RegionFrolunda HC J1830002-1
2019-2020U16 SMFrolunda HC U16200000
2019-2020U16 ElitFrolunda HC U162114112580
2019-2020TV-PuckenGoteborg510100
2018-2019U16 ElitFrolunda HC U16101100
2018-2019U16 Div.2Frolunda HC U16 34951440
2018-2019U16 Div.1Frolunda HC U16 2716720

Highlights