Andreas Karlsson joined the Lions coaching staff in 2015 after spending three years coaching in Sweden.
Karlsson spent 19 seasons as a professional hockey player, including five in the NHL with the Atlanta Thrashers and Tampa Bay Lightning. A Swedish centre drafted in the sixth round (148th overall) by the Calgary Flames in 1993, he amassed 72 points in 264 games. He also spent significant time in the American Hockey League (AHL) with the Chicago Wolves, winning the Calder Cup as league champions in 2002.
In his native Sweden, he played 12 seasons in the Swedish Elite League before and after his time in North America, most recently with Frolunda from 2008-11. He was also on the Swedish team that won the gold medal at the world championships in 2006.
Since retiring as a player, Karlsson has been a coach with Frolunda’s J20 super elite team, including the last three years as the squad’s head coach. In 2013 and 2014 he led the team to first place overall in the regular season and a playoff semifinal appearance.
