Swedish prospect Carl Axelsson, a 19‑year‑old goaltender from Danderyd, was chosen in the fourth round of the 2026 NHL Draft by the Utah Mammoths, marking the latest chapter in a family tradition of net‑minding.
His father, Niklas Axelsson, also earned a reputation as a reliable net‑minder, having guarded the nets for several Swedish clubs and later for the University of Minnesota Duluth, giving Carl a direct link to the program he will soon join.
Early Development in Sweden
Growing up in Sweden, Axelsson honed his craft in the youth ranks of SDE HF in Stockholm before moving up through Linköping HC and Skellefteå AIK, eventually competing at the J20 Nationell level where his performances attracted attention from North American scouts.
During the 2024‑25 season Axelsson split time between the Sioux Falls Stampede and the Austin Bruins, and later logged 44 games for the Muskegon Lumberjacks in the USHL, posting a 28‑14‑1 record, a 2.48 goals‑against average and a .916 save percentage with two shutouts.
A Transatlantic Transition
Next fall he will step onto the ice for the University of Minnesota Duluth, where he hopes to continue the family’s collegiate legacy while adjusting to the faster pace of American college hockey.
International Exposure
Axelsson has represented Sweden at multiple youth levels, including the U16, U18 and U20 squads, and was a member of the 4 Nations team in 2022, the Hlinka Gretzky Cup roster in 2023‑24, and the World Junior Summer Showcase in 2025, experiences that should bolster his readiness for the professional game.
The upcoming 2026‑27 season will be a proving ground, as the young Swede looks to translate his Swedish‑trained skills into tangible results on the larger North American stage.