The New Jersey Devils today re-signed restricted free-agent forward Fabian Zetterlund to a one-year, two-way contract worth $750,000 at the NHL level, and $125,000 at the American Hockey League (AHL) level with $175,000 guaranteed. The announcement was made by Executive Vice President/General Manager Tom Fitzgerald.
Zetterlund, who turns 23 later this month, made his NHL debut on November 18, 2021 at Florida, and played in 14 games overall with the Devils. The right-handed shot tallied eight points (3g-5a), earning his first-career NHL point on April 9, 2022 at Dallas and his first NHL goal on April 12, 2022 at Arizona. He was also one of eight players who made their NHL debut with the Devils last season.
The 5’11”, 220lbs. forward skated in 58 games with New Jersey’s AHL affiliate, the Utica Comets, and his 52 points (24g-28a) ranked second on the team last season. Zetterlund’s eight power-play goals and seven game-winners also led Utica. Additionally, he recorded eight points (2g-6a) in five Calder Cup Playoff games, which tied for the team lead.
Born on August 25, 1999, the native of Karlstad, Sweden was New Jersey’s third selection, 63rd overall, in the third round of the 2017 NHL Draft. Zetterlund spent parts of four seasons with Farjestads BK Karlstad of the Swedish Hockey League (SHL) and earned 11 career points (5g-6a) in 56 games from 2015-16 to 2018-19.
Zetterlund represented his home country in international play at the International Ice Hockey Federation’s (IIHF) under-18 World Junior Championship (WJC) in 2016-17 and under-20 WJC in 2017-18. He recorded five points (3g-2a) in seven games at the under-18 WJC and earned a Silver Medal with Sweden at the under-20 WJC. He later served as an assistant captain for Sweden at the 2018-19 under-20 WJC and played in five games. He was also teammates on Sweden with fellow Devils forward Jesper Boqvist at the 2017-18 WJC.