The Winnipeg Jets suffered a heartbreaking 5-4 overtime loss to the Anaheim Ducks on Friday night, but a young player on the team had reason to celebrate.
Jets defenseman Elias Salomonsson, 21, from Skellefteå, scored his first NHL goal – and earned his first NHL point – when he fired a shot past the Ducks’ Lukas Dostal at 1:27 of the third period to give Winnipeg a 3-1 lead.
The goal came in Salomonsson’s 15th NHL game and makes him the fifth-youngest defenseman in Jets (and Atlanta Thrashers) franchise history to score in the NHL, following Zach Bogosian, Ville Heinola, Jacob Trouba, and Sami Niku.
“We had a good shift in the offensive zone before that and won the puck back,” Salomonsson said after the game. “I stepped right into the shot and was so happy to see it go in. It was special.”
The defenseman, who has also registered nine points (1+8) in 29 games with the Manitoba Moose of the AHL this season, is becoming increasingly comfortable at the NHL level.
“It feels better and better with each game here,” Salomonsson said. “I’m getting more ice time, more responsibility, and I’m growing and getting better with it.”
Salomonsson was originally selected by the Jets as the 55th overall pick in the 2022 NHL Draft and is in his second season in North America. The goal is a significant milestone in his development as he continues to establish himself as a key player for the Jets. Despite the loss, Salomonsson’s achievement provides a bright spot for the team as they navigate a challenging season.
