Colorado College freshman Gustav Olofsson has signed an NHL entry-level contract with the Minnesota Wild, forgoing his final three seasons of collegiate eligibility. The Swedish born left shot defenseman had a goal and four assists in the 2014 World Junior Championship.
As SBNation's Chris Dilks wrote earlier this season, Olofsson was immense as a rookie. He had four goals and four assists for a Tigers team that struggled in the new NCHC. Since Olofsson was drafted out of the USHL, he can play in the American Hockey League (AHL) next season as a 19 year-old, a benefit for the Wild organization.
Olofsson ranked fourth overall on SBN College Hockey's list of Top 100 NHL prospects in college hockey:
Olofsson has been one of the few bright spots on an otherwise struggling Colorado College team, and acquitted himself very well in helping Sweden win a silver medal at the 2013 World Juniors tournament. Olofsson is an offensive-minded defenseman that moves exceptionally well for a player of his size. He’ll need to get a little stronger and better in the defensive end to play in the NHL, but he has a very high hockey IQ, which bodes well for his development as a player.