Anton Blidh Bio
Anton Blidh is a Swedish professional ice hockey forward who currently plays for the Hartford Wolf Pack of the American Hockey League while under contract to the New York Rangers of the National Hockey League. Selected by the Boston Bruins in the sixth round, 180th overall, during the 2013 NHL Entry Draft, Blidh has developed into a reliable depth forward at the professional level. His career has spanned multiple NHL organizations and AHL affiliates as he continues his professional journey in North American hockey.
Early Life and Background
Anton Blidh was born on 14 March 1995 in Mölnlycke, Sweden. Growing up in Sweden, Blidh developed his hockey skills within the Frölunda organization, splitting his time between the Frölunda Under-18 team and the Frölunda junior team during the 2012-2013 season. His offensive production at the junior level demonstrated his potential as a scoring threat, recording 17 goals and 10 assists in 43 games for the Frölunda junior team. This strong performance laid the foundation for his future professional career and caught the attention of NHL scouts.
Blidh continued his development within the Swedish hockey system before making the transition to North American professional hockey. His upbringing in Sweden provided him with a solid technical foundation and a competitive mindset that would serve him well as he advanced through the hockey ranks.
Path to Professional Hockey
Blidh began his professional career in Sweden, making his Swedish Hockey League debut with Frölunda HC during the 2013-2014 season following his selection in the NHL Draft. He played with Frölunda HC until 2015, accumulating 10 points through 72 games along with 28 penalty minutes. While his offensive numbers were modest during this developmental period, the experience of playing against grown men in Sweden’s top professional league proved invaluable for his long-term development.
On 29 May 2015, Blidh signed a three-year entry-level contract with the Boston Bruins after attending two of their development camps. This opportunity marked his official entry into the NHL organization and set the stage for his transition to North American hockey. The Bruins saw potential in the Swedish forward and believed his style of play could translate effectively to the North American game.
Anton Blidh Career
Boston Bruins Era (2015-2022)
Upon joining the Bruins organization, Blidh was assigned to their American Hockey League affiliate, the Providence Bruins, for the 2015-2016 season. In his first North American professional season, Blidh recorded 10 goals and four assists through 65 games, demonstrating his ability to produce offensively at the AHL level. The transition to North American rinks and the more physical style of play presented challenges, but Blidh adapted steadily throughout his first professional season in North America.
The following season, Blidh began the 2016-2017 campaign with Providence, producing five goals and four assists in 19 games before receiving his recall to the NHL level on 2 December 2016. He made his NHL debut the following game in a 2-1 road victory over the Buffalo Sabres, recording three shots on goal and four hits while logging 10:12 of ice time. Blidh scored his first career NHL goal shortly thereafter in a home loss to the New York Islanders on 20 December 2016. During his time with Boston that season, he registered one goal and one assist through 19 games before being returned to Providence on 21 January 2017.
During the 2017-2018 season, Blidh set new career highs in Providence with 11 goals and 15 assists for 26 points through 71 games. He spent the majority of the season in the AHL, making only one NHL appearance on 19 March against the Columbus Blue Jackets. His strong AHL performance earned him a one-year, two-way contract extension with the Bruins. Following the signing, he was again assigned to Providence and appeared in just one NHL game during the 2018-2019 season in a 6-3 loss against the Tampa Bay Lightning. While in the AHL that season, he played in 74 games and recorded 10 goals and 13 assists for 23 points.
Blidh appeared in 10 total games for Boston during the shortened 2020-2021 season, recording one goal. On 17 July 2021, the Bruins signed Blidh to a one-year, two-way contract worth $750,000 at the NHL level. In his seventh season with the Bruins during the 2021-2022 campaign, Blidh played the full season in Boston, appearing in a career-high 32 games while recording two goals and nine points in a depth forward role.
Colorado Avalanche (2022-2023)
As a free agent from the Bruins, Blidh signed a one-year, two-way contract with the Colorado Avalanche on 3 August 2022. After a successful training camp and pre-season, Blidh made the Avalanche opening season roster for the 2022-2023 season. After serving as a healthy scratch for several games, Blidh was re-assigned to begin his season with AHL affiliate, the Colorado Eagles, before shortly returning to the Avalanche. He made his debut with Colorado in a 4-3 overtime defeat to the Winnipeg Jets on 19 October 2022. Blidh went scoreless through 14 games with the Avalanche over the first half of the season before returning to the Eagles to continue his development.
New York Rangers (2023-Present)
On 3 March 2023, Blidh was traded by the Avalanche to the New York Rangers in exchange for fellow Swedish forward Gustav Rydahl. Upon joining the Rangers organization, Blidh was assigned directly to AHL affiliate, the Hartford Wolf Pack. He quickly found his rhythm with the Wolf Pack, increasing his offensive output by recording seven goals and 11 points in 17 regular season games. In the post-season, Blidh finished third in team scoring by notching seven points through nine playoff contests, demonstrating his ability to elevate his play when it mattered most.
On 8 June 2023, Blidh opted to forgo free agency by agreeing to a two-year, two-way contract extension with the Rangers. This extension reflected the organization’s confidence in his abilities and his valuable contributions to the Wolf Pack during the remainder of the 2022-2023 season. Blidh continues to serve as an important depth player within the Rangers system, providing experience and versatility at both the NHL and AHL levels.
Playing Style and Strengths
Blidh has established himself as a reliable depth forward known for his physical play and tenacious work ethic. Standing at 6 feet 0 inches and weighing 201 pounds, he brings size and strength to his forward position. His left-handed shot and two-way capabilities allow him to contribute in various situations, whether as a checking-line player or providing secondary scoring. Throughout his career, Blidh has demonstrated the ability to play a responsible defensive game while also chipping in offensively when opportunities arise.
Notable Events and Milestones
Several moments stand out in Blidh’s professional career. His NHL debut against the Buffalo Sabres in December 2016 marked the culmination of years of development and represented his arrival at hockey’s highest level. He scored his first career NHL goal later that same month against the New York Islanders, a significant milestone for any young professional player. His 2021-2022 season with the Bruins saw him appear in a career-high 32 NHL games, demonstrating his ability to contribute at the top level over an extended period. His strong playoff performance with the Hartford Wolf Pack in 2023, where he finished third in team scoring during their postseason run, further solidified his reputation as a player who elevates his game in crucial moments.
Anton Blidh Career Statistics
Blidh has accumulated professional experience across multiple leagues throughout his career, including the Swedish Hockey League, American Hockey League, and National Hockey League. His versatility has allowed him to contribute at various levels while continuing to develop his game.
NHL Highlights
At the NHL level, Blidh has appeared in games with the Boston Bruins, Colorado Avalanche, and New York Rangers. His most productive NHL season came during the 2021-2022 campaign with Boston, when he recorded two goals and nine points in 32 games. Throughout his NHL career, Blidh has demonstrated the ability to play a responsible two-way game while contributing occasional offensive production from his forward position.
AHL Performance
The American Hockey League has served as Blidh’s primary home for much of his professional career. His strongest AHL seasons include the 2017-2018 campaign with Providence, where he recorded 11 goals and 15 assists for 26 points, and his time with Hartford Wolf Pack in 2022-2023, when he posted seven goals and 11 points in 17 regular season games followed by seven points in nine playoff contests. His consistent AHL production has made him a valuable asset for every organization he has played for.
Anton Blidh Personal Life
As a Swedish-born professional athlete, Blidh brings international experience to his North American career. Born and raised in Mölnlycke, Sweden, he represents the tradition of Swedish players who have successfully transitioned to North American professional hockey. His career trajectory demonstrates the patience and development required for players drafted from European leagues to establish themselves at the NHL level.
Blidh continues to pursue his professional hockey career while maintaining connections to his Swedish roots. His journey from Mölnlycke to the NHL exemplifies the pathway that many European players follow in developing their skills before making the jump to North America’s top hockey league.
2025 Season Performance
Entering the 2025 season, Blidh remains under contract with the New York Rangers organization, continuing his role with the Hartford Wolf Pack of the American Hockey League. As a two-way contract player, he provides organizational depth and serves as an experienced option who can be recalled to the NHL level when needed. His combination of NHL experience, AHL production, and versatile two-way abilities makes him a valuable piece of the Rangers’ player development infrastructure. Blidh’s continued performance with the Wolf Pack positions him as a reliable veteran presence who can contribute both offensively and through responsible defensive play as the Rangers organization navigates the challenges of the season.
