Lias Andersson

{{Infobox ice hockey player

| name = Lias Andersson

| image = Lias Andersson.jpg

| image_size = 225px

| caption = Andersson with the Los Angeles Kings in 2022

| birth_date = {{birth date and age|1998|10|13|df=y}}

| birth_place = Smögen, Sweden

| height_ft = 6

| height_in = 1

| weight_lb = 190

| position = Centre

| shoots = Left

| league = NL

| team = EHC Biel-Bienne

| prospect_team =

| prospect_league =

| former_teams = HV71
Frölunda HC
New York Rangers
Los Angeles Kings

| ntl_team = SWE

| draft = 7th overall

| draft_year = 2017

| draft_team = New York Rangers

| career_start = 2015

| career_end =

}}

Lias Andersson (born 13 October 1998) is a Swedish professional ice hockey forward for EHC Biel-Bienne of the National League (NL). He was selected in the first round, seventh overall, by the New York Rangers of the National Hockey League (NHL) in the 2017 NHL Entry Draft. Andersson has also previously played for the Los Angeles Kings.

Playing career

Andersson made his Swedish Hockey League (SHL) debut with HV71 during the 2015–16 season.{{cite web |url=http://www.shl.se/statistics/profile/gamelog/2903/2015 |title=Statistik - SHL.se |publisher=shl.se |access-date=25 April 2016 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160425115824/http://www.shl.se/statistics/profile/gamelog/2903/2015 |archive-date=25 April 2016}} In the following 2016–17 season, able to accept a larger role, Andersson appeared in 42 games in the regular season, contributing with 9 goals and 19 points. He appeared in every postseason game in compiling 4 goals and 5 point in 16 games to help HV71 capture their fifth Le Mat Trophy.

On 8 May 2017, Andersson opted to leave HV71 and agreed to a two-year contract to link up with Frölunda HC. It marked a return in continuing his heritage, as he spent his childhood with the club, as his father gained an icon status during his tenure with Frölunda.{{cite web | url = https://www.frolundaindians.com/artikel/4w0daj2fv-24601/24-an-gar-i-arv |title=24:an går i arv |trans-title = The 24 is inherited | publisher = Frölunda HC | date = 2017-05-08 | access-date = 2017-05-08 | language = Swedish | archive-date = 8 May 2017 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20170508152844/https://www.frolundaindians.com/artikel/4w0daj2fv-24601/24-an-gar-i-arv | url-status = dead }} He was selected by the New York Rangers of the National Hockey League (NHL), seventh overall, in the 2017 NHL Entry Draft. Following his selection by the Rangers, Andersson signed to a three-year, entry-level contract in July 2017.{{cite web| url = https://www.nhl.com/rangers/news/new-york-rangers-agree-to-terms-with-forward-lias-andersson/c-290384162 | title = Rangers agree to terms with forward Lias Andersson | publisher = New York Rangers | via= NHL.com | date = 2017-07-14 | access-date = 2017-07-14}}

In the 2017–18 season, Andersson made his debut with Frölunda HC and appeared in 22 games, registering 7 goals and 14 points, before leaving the club to attend his second World Junior Championships. Following the conclusion of the tournament, Andersson left the SHL and was re-assigned by the Rangers to make his North American debut in joining their American Hockey League (AHL) affiliate, the Hartford Wolf Pack on 19 January 2018.{{cite tweet |url=https://twitter.com/WolfPackAHL/status/954385984896012290 | title = [NEWS] The @NYRangers have assigned Lias Andersson to the Hartford Wolf Pack. |number=954385984896012290 |user=WolfPackAHL | author = Hartford Wolf Pack | author-link = Hartford Wolf Pack | date = 2018-01-19 | access-date = 2018-01-19}} On 25 March, Andersson was called up by the Rangers and made his NHL debut against the Washington Capitals at Madison Square Garden the next day.{{cite web |title=Rangers recall 2017 first-rounders Lias Andersson, Filip Chytil |url=https://www.sportsnet.ca/hockey/nhl/rangers-recall-2017-first-rounders-lias-andersson-filip-chytil/ |work=Sportsnet |access-date=26 March 2018 |date=25 March 2018}} He scored his first career NHL goal in his debut, making him the youngest Rangers player to score a goal in their debut, surpassing Mike Allison.{{cite web |title=Andersson scores in first game with Rangers in front of proud family|url=https://www.nhl.com/news/rangers-lias-andersson-scores-in-debut-in-front-of-family/c-297364448|publisher=National Hockey League|access-date=27 March 2018|date=27 March 2018}} Andersson was subsequently sent back to the AHL thereafter.{{cite web |title=Rangers' Lias Andersson: Moves back to minor league |url=https://www.cbssports.com/fantasy/hockey/news/rangers-lias-andersson-moves-back-to-minor-league/amp/ |work=CBS Sports |access-date=30 April 2018|date=7 April 2018}}

Andersson began the 2018–19 season in the AHL after being cut from the Rangers 2018 training camp.{{cite web |title=Rangers Reduce Training Camp Roster |url=https://www.nhl.com/rangers/news/new-york-rangers-reduce-training-camp-roster/c-300446398 |publisher=New York Rangers |via=NHL.com |access-date=6 November 2018 |date=27 September 2018}} After recording 12 points in 14 games for the Hartford Wolf Pack, Andersson was recalled to the NHL on 5 November 2018.{{cite web |title=Rangers Recall Lias Andersson From Hartford |url=https://www.nhl.com/rangers/news/rangers-recall-lias-andersson-from-hartford/c-301634740 |via=NHL.com |publisher=New York Rangers |access-date=6 November 2018 |date=5 November 2018}} On 21 December 2019, it was reported by Darren Dreger that Andersson had formally asked the New York Rangers for a trade.{{cite web |title=Andersson asks Rangers for trade|url=https://www.tsn.ca/lias-andersson-asks-new-york-rangers-for-trade-1.1416822|work=TSN |access-date=23 December 2019 |date=21 December 2019}} However, on 26 January 2020, the Rangers opted to loan Andersson to HV71 of the SHL.{{cite web |title=Rangers Loan Lias Andersson to HV71 of Swedish Hockey League|url=https://www.nhl.com/rangers/news/rangers-loan-lias-andersson-to-hv71-of-swedish-hockey-league/c-314316834 |publisher=New York Rangers |via=NHL.com |access-date=26 January 2020|date=26 January 2020}} Andersson's tenure with the Rangers officially ended in October 2020 as he was dealt to the Los Angeles Kings in exchange for Vegas' second-round pick in 2020.{{cite web |url=https://www.nhl.com/news/lias-andersson-traded-to-kings-by-rangers/c-319356070 |last1=Rosen |first1=Dan |title=Andersson traded to Kings by Rangers for second-round pick |publisher=National Hockey League |access-date=3 February 2021 |date=7 October 2020}}{{cite web |url=https://www.tsn.ca/new-york-rangers-trade-f-lias-andersson-to-kings-1.1535624 |title=Rangers trade Andersson to Kings |website=TSN |date= 7 October 2020 |access-date= 7 October 2020}}

Andersson finished the season with HV71, playing 15 games and began the 2020–21 season with HV71, playing 19 games before coming to Los Angeles for NHL training camp.{{cite web |url=https://theathletic.com/2297964/2021/01/02/lias-andersson-los-angeles-kings-set-up-to-succeed/ |title=Lias Andersson, looking for a fresh start, is set up to succeed with the Kings |work=The Athletic |last=Dillman |first=Lisa |date=3 January 2021 |access-date=14 November 2023 |url-access=subscription}} He split the NHL season between Los Angeles and their AHL affiliate, the Ontario Reign. Andersson scored his first goal for the Kings on 24 January 2021, against Ville Husso in a 6–3 win over the St. Louis Blues.{{cite web |url=https://www.dailynews.com/2021/01/24/kings-overpower-blues-with-early-barrage-of-goals/ |title=Kings overpower Blues with early barrage of goals |work=Los Angeles Daily News |last=Knoll |first=Andrew |date=24 January 2021 |access-date=14 November 2023 |url-access=subscription}} On 30 July, Andersson re-signed with Los Angeles to a one-year, two-way contract.{{cite web |url=https://www.sportsnet.ca/nhl/article/kings-sign-forward-lias-andersson-one-year-two-way-deal/ |title=Kings sign forward Lias Andersson to one-year, two-way deal |work=Sportsnet |date=30 July 2021 |access-date=14 November 2023}} In the 2021–22 season, Andersson appeared in 20 games for the Kings, scoring one goal and two points. He signed a one-year extension with Los Angeles on 11 July 2022.{{cite web |url=https://www.espn.com/nhl/story/_/id/34228520/los-angeles-kings-bring-back-carl-grundstrom-lias-andersson-let-brendan-lemieux-try-free-agency |title=Los Angeles Kings bring back Carl Grundstrom, Lias Andersson, let Brendan Lemieux try free agency |work=ESPN |date=11 July 2022 |access-date=14 November 2023}} The 2022–23 season saw Andersson spend the majority of the year with the Reign, appearing only once for Los Angeles.{{cite web |url=https://montrealgazette.com/sports/hockey/nhl/hockey-inside-out/lias-andersson-hoping-to-salvage-career-in-canadiens-organization#:~:text=But%20on%20Oct.,restricted%20free%20agent%20next%20summer. |title=Lias Andersson hoping to salvage career in Canadiens' organization |last=Zurkowsky |first=Herb |work=Montreal Gazette |date=18 October 2023 |access-date=14 November 2023}}

On 2 July 2023, Andersson as a free agent signed a one-year, two-way contract with the Montreal Canadiens.{{cite web |url=https://www.nhl.com/canadiens/news/canadiens-sign-lias-andersson-to-a-one-year-contract/c-345185066 |title= Canadiens sign Lias Andersson to a one-year contract |via=NHL.com |publisher=Montreal Canadiens |access-date=2 July 2023 |date=2 July 2023}} Andersson attended the Canadiens 2023 training camp but was placed on waivers with the intent on assigning him to Montreal's AHL affiliate, the Laval Rocket. After going unclaimed, Andersson was assigned to Laval to start the 2023–24 season.

In June 2024, Andersson left the Canadiens organization and signed a two-year contract with EHC Biel-Bienne of the Switzerland-based National League (NL).{{cite web |url = https://thehockeynews.com/international/players/former-7th-overall-pick-lias-andersson-heading-to-switzerland |last=O'Brien|first=Derek|title =

Former 7th overall pick Lias Andersson heading to Switzerland| website = The Hockey News | date = June 19, 2024 | access-date = June 19, 2024}}

International play

{{MedalCountry|{{ihj|SWE}}}}

Andersson was named to Team Sweden for the 2016 IIHF World U18 Championships and helped Sweden win silver by putting up nine points in seven games.{{cite web|title=Lias Andersson, Hear Him Roar|url=https://www.nhl.com/avalanche/news/lias-andersson-2017-nhl-draft-prospect-profile/c-289902734|via=NHL.com|publisher=Colorado Avalanche|last=Hodges|first=Erin|accessdate=6 January 2018|date=12 June 2017}} He was again named to Team Sweden for the 2017 World Junior Ice Hockey Championships, where he scored three goals. He was named captain to Team Sweden for the 2018 World Junior Ice Hockey Championships,{{cite tweet |user=NYRStatsInfo |number=944606357424168960 |date=23 December 2017 |title=NYR prospect Lias Andersson will serve as Sweden's captain at the 2018 IIHF World Junior Championship.}} where he helped guide the team to a silver medal, and in a controversial display, threw it into the crowd in frustration.{{cite news|last1=Traikos|first1=Michael|title=Frustrated Sweden captain Lias Andersson tosses silver medal into crowd|url=http://torontosun.com/sports/hockey/frustrated-sweden-captain-lias-andersson-tosses-silver-medal-into-crowd|accessdate= 6 January 2018|newspaper=Toronto Sun|date=5 January 2018}} For this action, he was suspended from four games during the 2019 World Junior Ice Hockey Championships.{{cite web|last1=Bottomley|first1=Andrew|title=Dahlin among Swedish players, coaches suspended by IIHF|url=https://www.sportsnet.ca/hockey/juniors/dahlin-among-swedish-players-coaches-suspended-iihf/sn-amp/|work=Sportsnet|accessdate=9 May 2018|date=2 May 2018}}

In April 2018, he was named to Sweden's 2018 IIHF World Championship team,{{cite tweet |user=NYRStatsInfo |number=990662198270857217 |date=29 April 2018 |title=Lias Andersson and Mika Zibanejad have been named to Sweden's roster for the 2018 IIHF World Championship. #NYR}} and Sweden won gold.

Personal life

Andersson's father Niklas played in 165 NHL games, while his uncle Mikael played in 761 NHL games.

Career statistics

=Regular season and playoffs=

border="0" cellpadding="1" cellspacing="0" style="text-align:center; width:60em;"

bgcolor="#e0e0e0"

! colspan="3" bgcolor="#ffffff"|

! rowspan="99" bgcolor="#ffffff"|

! colspan="5"|Regular season

! rowspan="99" bgcolor="#ffffff"|

! colspan="5"|Playoffs

bgcolor="#e0e0e0"

! Season

! Team

! League

! GP

! G

! A

! Pts

! PIM

! GP

! G

! A

! Pts

! PIM

2012–13

| Kungälvs IK

| J18

| 23

| 4

| 1

| 5

| 2

| —

bgcolor="#f0f0f0"

| 2013–14

| Kungälvs IK

| J18

| 32

| 18

| 19

| 37

| 76

| —

2013–14

| Kungälvs IK

| J20 II

| 1

| 0

| 2

| 0

bgcolor="#f0f0f0"

| 2014–15

| HV71

| J18

| 11

| 6

| 9

| 15

| 20

| —

2014–15

| HV71

| J18 Allsv

| 2

| 0

| 4

| 0

| 4

| 2

| 4

| 2

bgcolor="#f0f0f0"

| 2014–15

| HV71

| J20

| 25

| 6

| 3

| 9

| 16

| 6

| 0

| 2

| 0

2015–16

| HV71

| J18

| 1

| 2

| 0

| —

bgcolor="#f0f0f0"

| 2015–16

| HV71

| J18 Allsv

| 1

| 0

| 4

| 0

| —

2015–16

| HV71

| J20

| 37

| 24

| 35

| 59

| 91

| 1

| 2

| 0

| 2

bgcolor="#f0f0f0"

| 2015–16

| HV71

| SHL

| 22

| 0

| 6

| 4

| 0

2016–17

| HV71

| J20

| 3

| 2

| 0

| 2

| —

bgcolor="#f0f0f0"

| 2016–17

| HV71

| SHL

| 42

| 9

| 10

| 19

| 18

| 16

| 4

| 1

| 5

| 18

2017–18

| Frölunda HC

| SHL

| 22

| 7

| 14

| 20

| —

bgcolor="#f0f0f0"

| 2017–18

| Hartford Wolf Pack

| AHL

| 25

| 5

| 9

| 14

| 8

| —

2017–18

| New York Rangers

| NHL

| 7

| 1

| 2

| 0

| —

bgcolor="#f0f0f0"

| 2018–19

| Hartford Wolf Pack

| AHL

| 36

| 6

| 14

| 20

| 25

| —

2018–19

| New York Rangers

| NHL

| 42

| 2

| 4

| 6

| 29

| —

bgcolor="#f0f0f0"

| 2019–20

| New York Rangers

| NHL

| 17

| 0

| 1

| 4

| —

2019–20

| Hartford Wolf Pack

| AHL

| 13

| 4

| 1

| 5

| 14

| —

bgcolor="#f0f0f0"

| 2019–20

| HV71

| SHL

| 15

| 7

| 5

| 12

| 6

| —

2020–21

| HV71

| SHL

| 19

| 5

| 6

| 11

| 4

| —

bgcolor="#f0f0f0"

| 2020–21

| Los Angeles Kings

| NHL

| 23

| 3

| 6

| 12

| —

2020–21

| Ontario Reign

| AHL

| 15

| 6

| 11

| 17

| 0

| 1

| 0

| 1

| 0

bgcolor="#f0f0f0"

| 2021–22

| Los Angeles Kings

| NHL

| 20

| 1

| 2

| 12

| —

2021–22

| Ontario Reign

| AHL

| 4

| 6

| 0

| 6

| 2

| —

bgcolor="#f0f0f0"

| 2022–23

| Ontario Reign

| AHL

| 67

| 31

| 28

| 59

| 38

| 2

| 1

| 3

| 2

2022–23

| Los Angeles Kings

| NHL

| 1

| 0

| —

bgcolor="#f0f0f0"

| 2023–24

| Laval Rocket

| AHL

| 53

| 21

| 24

| 45

| 33

| —

bgcolor="#e0e0e0"

! colspan="3"|SHL totals

!120!!28!!28!!56!!54

!20!!4!!1!!5!!18

bgcolor="#e0e0e0"

! colspan="3"|NHL totals

!110!!7!!10!!17!!57

!—!!—!!—!!—!!—

=International=

border="0" cellpadding="1" cellspacing="0" ID="Table3" style="text-align:center; width:40em;"

bgcolor="#e0e0e0"

! Year

! Team

! Event

! Result

! rowspan="99" bgcolor="#ffffff"|

! GP

! G

! A

! Pts

! PIM

2014

| Sweden

| U17

| {{bronze3}}

| 6

| 1

| 3

| 4

| 2

bgcolor="#f0f0f0"

| 2015

| Sweden

| IH18

| {{silver2}}

| 5

| 0

| 18

2016

| Sweden

| WJC18

| {{silver2}}

| 7

| 5

| 4

| 9

| 8

bgcolor="#f0f0f0"

| 2017

| Sweden

| WJC

| 4th

| 7

| 3

| 0

| 3

| 6

2018

| Sweden

| WJC

| {{silver2}}

| 7

| 6

| 1

| 7

| 6

bgcolor="#f0f0f0"

| 2018

| Sweden

| WC

| {{gold1}}

| 10

| 1

| 2

| 4

bgcolor="#e0e0e0"

! colspan="4"|Junior totals

! 32

! 15

! 8

! 23

! 40

bgcolor="#e0e0e0"

! colspan="4"|Senior totals

! 10

! 1

! 2

! 4

Awards and honors

class="wikitable" ! Award ! Year ! Ref
colspan="3"\|SHL
Le Mat Trophy champion \| 2017 \| {{cite web\| url = http://www.aftonbladet.se/sportbladet/hockey/a/6OWQQ/vinner-sm-guld--efter-superrysare \| title = HV71 wins championship \| publisher = aftonbladet.se \| date = 2017-04-30 \| accessdate = 2017-04-30 \| language = Swedish}}

class="wikitable"

! Award

! Year

! Ref

colspan="3"|SHL

Le Mat Trophy champion

| 2017

| {{cite web| url = http://www.aftonbladet.se/sportbladet/hockey/a/6OWQQ/vinner-sm-guld--efter-superrysare | title = HV71 wins championship | publisher = aftonbladet.se | date = 2017-04-30 | accessdate = 2017-04-30 | language = Swedish}}