Emil Bemstrom is on the fast track.
The Blue Jackets are high on him, too, with GM Jarmo Kekalainen mentioning him by name multiple times this season–including in his end-of-season press conference, when listing prospects with a bright future ahead. Bemstrom, 19, just completed an impressive rookie season in the Swedish Hockey League with 23 goals in 47 games with Djurgarden.
Bemstrom led all SHL rookies in goals, points and power play goals and was the league's overall goal-scoring leader.
The Nykoping, Sweden native has notched 23-12-35, eight penalty minutes and a +9 plus/minus rating in 52 career SHL appearances with Djurgardens IF and Leksands IF, including a five-game stint with Leksands in 2016-17. He spent the 2017-18 campaign with the Leksands organization, collecting 8-7-15 in 33 games with the men's club (Allsvenskan) and 12-13-25 in 18 outings with the junior team (SuperElit).
The 5-10, 181-pound winger has represented Sweden at several international competitions. He was named a top three player for his country at the 2019 IIHF World Junior Championships after collecting 4-2-6 in five appearances.
Bemstrom's three-year, entry level deal with the Blue Jackets takes effect for the 2019-20 season.
Video courtesy of YouTube user SpecmenceCBJ. Check out his channel.
