Leafs Prospect Goes from Virtually Unknown to Representing his Country On the World Stage

Becoming a regular NHL player when you're selected outside of the first and second rounds of the NHL Entry Draft can be a major uphill battle.

A recent fourth-round pick of the Toronto Maple Leafs has received a major vote of confidence from his home country as he looks to make it to the big league some day.

19-year-old Victor Johansson, who was taken 120th overall in the 2024 NHL Entry Draft, has been named to Sweden's roster for the 2025 World Junior Summer Showcase. A good showing at the event could lead to a spot on Sweden's World Junior team this year. Not bad at all for a 4th-rounder.

A spot in the Showcase for Johansson certainly isn't unmerited. The defenceman played in the J20 Nationell, Sweden's junior hockey league, in 2024-25. He potted 7 goals and 39 points in 47 games for Leksands IF Jr. Johansson also played 5 games for Leksands SHL team.

Overall, this in a very positive step for Johansson's development as a blueliner, and one the Maple Leafs head office is likely very pleased about.

Former Maple Leafs prospect Nikita Grebenkin, meanwhile, has a warning for Johansson and other prospects about playing in a volatile market like Toronto. He called the pressure of playing for the Maple Leafs intense, adding that small things can turn into something huge when playing in a city obsessed with hockey.

Newly acquired defenceman Henry Thrun, who will be competing against Johansson for a spot in Toronto lineup at training camp, recently revealed the unthinkable, saying he really didn't like the Maple Leafs growing up.