JONKOPING, SWEDEN - SEPTEMBER 09: Head Coach, Johan Lindbom of HV71 follows the game from the bench, during the Champions Hockey League match between HV71 Jonkoping and Red Bull Salzburg at Kinnarps Arena on September 9, 2016 in Jonkoping, Sweden. (Photo by Daniel Malmberg/Champions Hockey League via Getty Images)
Rangers Announce Departure of Andreas Karlsson
The Kitchener Rangers announced today that Andreas Karlsson will not be returning to the team next season.
Andreas Karlsson joined the Rangers in 2017 after spending two seasons as an assistant coach with the York University Lions men’s hockey team, helping guide the squad to an Ontario University Athletics (OUA) Queen’s Cup championship and an appearance in the University Cup championship this past 2016-17 season.
Before his time at York he spent three seasons as the head coach of Frölunda HC J20, the top junior league in Sweden, between 2012-15.
Prior to his foray into coaching Karlsson enjoyed a successful playing career in his own right, being selected in the sixth round, 166th overall by the Calgary Flames in the 1993 NHL Entry Draft. He spent time in both the Swedish Elite League (Leksands IF, HV71 Jonkoping, Frolunda HC) and the National Hockey League (Atlanta Thrashers, Tampa Bay Lightning) over the course of his 19-year professional playing career. He earned a bronze medal with Team Sweden at the 1995 IIHF World Junior Championship and a Calder Cup with the AHL’s Chicago Wolves during the 2001-02 season. He also captured a gold medal at the World Hockey Championships as a member of Team Sweden in 2006.
Karlsson will be leaving The Kitchener Rangers for other opportunities.
The entire organization wishes him the best in the future and we thank Andreas for his service and time with the Rangers.
