Lias Andersson

Lias Andersson (born on October 13, 1998 in Smögen) is a Swedish professional ice hockey center and left winger. He is currently playing for HV71 of the SHL on a loan from the Los Angeles Kings of the NHL. He was selected by the Rangers seventh overall in the 2017 NHL Entry Draft. Lias' father Niklas played 763 SHL games and 165 NHL games, and his uncle Mikael played 761 NHL games.

Playing career
Andersson made his senior debut in the SHL with HV71 during the 2015–16 season. Season before, he played with Swedish National Team at the 2015 World U17 Hockey Challenge and during the 2015-16 season, he played at the 2016 World U18 Championship. In the following 2016–17 season, able to accept a larger role, Andersson appeared in 42 games in the regular season, contributing with 9 goals and 19 points. He appeared in every post-season game in compiling 4 goals and 5 point in 16 games to help HV71 capture their fifth Le Mat Trophy. He also participated at the 2017 World Junior Championship.

On 8 May 2017, Andersson opted to leave HV71 and agreed to a two-year contract to link up with Frölunda HC of the SHL. It marked a return in continuing his heritage, as he spent his childhood with the club, as his father gained an icon status during his tenure with Frölunda. Following his selection to the New York Rangers of the NHL, Andersson was signed to a three-year, entry-level contract on July 14, 2017.

In the 2017–18 season, Andersson made his debut with Frölunda HC and appeared in 22 games, registering 7 goals and 14 points, before leaving the club to attend the 2018 World Junior Championship. Following the conclusion of the tournament, Andersson left the SHL and was re-assigned by the Rangers to make his North American debut in joining AHL affiliate, the Hartford Wolf Pack on 19 January 2018. On 25 March 2018 Andersson was called up to the NHL and made his NHL debut against the Washington Capitals at Madison Square Garden the next day. He scored his first career NHL goal in his debut, making him the youngest Rangers player to score a goal in their debut, surpassing Mike Allison. Andersson was sent back to the AHL on 7 April.

Andersson began the 2018–19 season in the AHL after being cut from the Rangers 2018 training camp. After recording 12 points in 14 games for the Hartford Wolf Pack, Andersson was recalled to the NHL on 5 November.

In the 2019-20 season, Andersson played 17 games for Rangers and 13 games for Wolf Pack. On December 21, 2019, it was reported by Darren Dreger that Andersson had formally asked the New York Rangers for a trade. However, on January 26, 2020, it was announced that the Rangers had loaned Andersson to HV71 of the SHL.

International play
Andersson was named to Team Sweden for the 2016 World U18 Championship and helped Sweden win silver by putting up nine points in seven games. He was again named to Team Sweden for the 2017 World Junior Championships, where he scored three goals. He was named captain to Team Sweden for the 2018 World Junior Championship, where he helped guide the team to a silver medal, and in a controversial display, threw it into the crowd in frustration. For this action, he was suspended from four games during the 2019 World Junior Championship.

In April 2018, he was named to Sweden's 2018 World Championship team, and Sweden won gold.