The Winnipeg Jets have signed Swedish defenceman Alfons Freij to a three-year, entry-level contract with an average annual value of $975,000, the team announced Saturday.

Freij, 19, appeared in 29 games this past season for IF Björklöven in HockeyAllsvenskan, Sweden’s second-tier league, finishing with two goals and eight points. While the numbers are modest on paper, they’re solid for a rookie blueliner making the jump to pro hockey — especially one adjusting to the pace and physicality of the pro game.

Winnipeg made Freij their first selection of the 2024 NHL Draft, taking him 37th overall. At 6-foot-1 and 196 pounds, he brings a sturdy frame and high-end skating ability to the backend. His edgework and balance help him stay composed under pressure, often enabling smooth breakouts and confident transition play.

Offensively, Freij is known for his crisp passing and ability to push the pace from the back end. Defensively, he’s still a work in progress, but there are signs of growth.

“An average-sized defenseman who can create offence with an above-average shot and pro-ready one-timer. Has NHL skill and mobility but lacks hockey sense. Needs to develop on both sides of the puck; the offence is ahead of the defence,” reads a scouting report from DobberProspects.

Next season, Freij is set to move up to the SHL with Timrå IK, a significant step in his development. The SHL’s faster pace and tougher competition will challenge his decision-making and help refine both sides of his game.

Freij didn’t crack Sweden’s World Junior roster last year, but with several key players aging out, he’s a strong candidate to make the team this time around.

While he’s still likely a couple of years away from competing for a roster spot in Winnipeg, the path forward is clear: a season or two in the SHL, followed by a potential transition to the AHL with the Manitoba Moose. If he continues to check boxes the way he did this year, he could arrive in Winnipeg sooner than expected.