Jonathan Ericsson

Jonathan Ericsson (born March 2, 1984, in Karlskrona, Sweden) is a Swedish professional ice hockey defenceman who currently plays for the Detroit Red Wings of the National Hockey League. =Playing career=

Ericsson was drafted 291st overall in the ninth round of the 2002 NHL Entry Draft as the last player of the draft, by the Detroit Red Wings. He plays defence for the Detroit Red Wings and their AHL affiliate, the Grand Rapids Griffins. Ericsson played his first NHL game with the Red Wings on February 22, 2008, against Calgary Flames and scored his first NHL goal during the following game on February 26 against Edmonton Oilers' goaltender Mathieu Garon. Ericsson was included on the 2008 Detroit Red Wings Stanley Cup picture. He did not qualify to be engraved on the cup, but he was awarded a Stanley Cup ring. Ericsson began his playing career as a center, playing all but one game of the 2001-2002 season at the position for Hasten's junior team. However, when playing one game on defence, Detroit Red Wings scout Håkan Andersson watched the game and convinced Ericsson to become a permanent defenceman. Detroit then drafted him that summer. Throughout his next four seasons, Jonathan played for several teams throughout Sweden, a period of time which also saw him switching between center and defence as teams saw fit. After his 2005-2006 season, Detroit signed him to a two-year entry-level contract and brought him to the United States to play for their AHL affiliate team, the Grand Rapids Griffins.