Winnipeg Jets Tobias Enstrom signs with EC Red Bull Salzburg -NHL Lockout Update
Tobias Enstrom was already playing abroad with Modo of the Swedish Elite League, but it seems that the Winnipeg Jets defenseman had a change of heart and decided to sign on with the EC Red Bull Salzburg of the Austrian League on Monday, October 22, 2012.
The news was made official after it was announced on the team’s website, and reportedly has signed Enstrom to a one-year deal, which also has a clause to let the player go in case the National Hockey League (NHL) lockout comes to an end.
It is also believed that Tobias Enstrom, a native of Nordingra, Sweden, will be playing some time as soon as this Friday or later on in the weekend.
The 27-year-old defender was brought into the NHL by the Atlanta Thrashers as the 239th overall draft pick in the eighth round of the 2003 NHL Entry Draft. He is definitely one of the most underrated defenders in the league and continues to notch
top level numbers each season.
Enstrom made his debut in the North American hockey league back in 2007-2008 and had 38 points (5 goals, 33 assists) in 82 games played. He established himself as a play maker by setting up 27 goals next season and notching five himself, for a total of 32
points in 82 games during 2008-2009.
He kept on getting better by picking up 50 points (6 goals, 44 assists) in yet another full season next time around along with 51 points, this time with getting double digits in the gaol department in just 72 games.
The last season, Tobias Enstrom was in Winnipeg for the first time and despite participating in just 62 games, the young defender still put up 33 points (6 goals, 27 assists) and 38 minutes in penalty time.
Enstrom is yet to see the playoffs though.
The Swedish defenseman is currently under contract with the Winnipeg Jets and was signed on this offseason to a five-year, $28.75 million deal, which was made to begin in 2013-2014 and will be coming to an end in 2017-2018.
It will be exciting to see how his performance goes in Austria.
Tags: