from Ansar Khan of Mlive,

So, while hockey is on hiatus in North America, more than a dozen Red Wings prospects are playing and developing in Sweden. A few are on loan, others are with their regular clubs.

Shawn Horcoff, Red Wings' director of player development, and the rest of the front office is keeping tabs on the young players via computer and phone, due to the international travel ban.

“The nice thing is we’re able to see all their games on-line,” Horcoff said. "It’s not the same as watching these kids live. We enjoy not only watching them but meeting with them, spending some time with them, going on the ice with them, taking them for dinner, lunch, building a relationship, especially the new guys drafted, so that’s been a little bit difficult.

“The nice thing is we have Nik Kronwall (assistant to general manager Steve Yzerman) in Sweden and it’s a huge benefit to have Nik on the ground and taking care of these guys. We’re finding ways to be creative, staying on top of these guys and making sure they get what they need in order to develop in areas we see fit.”

Here is a look at the Red Wings' prospects playing in Sweden:

Jonatan Berggren: Skilled winger who has missed much of the past two seasons with back and shoulder injuries is off a hot start with 16 points (two goals, 14 assists) in 13 games for Skelleftea AIK. He ranks third in scoring in the top league.

“More than anything, I see a lot of confidence in his game,” Horcoff said. “He’s holding onto the puck. That’s one of his biggest assets, his passing ability, his vision. He’s skating well, so he’s able to separate, create space for himself.”

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