Jonatan Berggren Bio
Jonatan Berggren is a Swedish professional ice hockey forward born on 16 July 2000 in Uppsala, Sweden. Drafted 33rd overall by the Detroit Red Wings in the 2018 NHL Entry Draft, he began his professional career in 2018 with Skellefteå AIK of the Swedish Hockey League. Berggren made his National Hockey League debut with Detroit in 2022 and was later claimed by the St. Louis Blues in December 2025. Standing 180 cm tall and weighing 83 kg, he shoots left and is recognized for his playmaking and offensive instincts.
Early Life and Background
Jonatan Berggren was born and raised in Uppsala, a historic university city in central Sweden with a strong youth hockey tradition. Growing up in the Swedish hockey system, he developed through local clubs before progressing into the Skellefteå AIK junior program, one of the country’s most respected development pipelines. His early training emphasized skill, skating, and creativity, hallmarks of the Swedish hockey education model.
Berggren’s progression through the junior ranks marked him as one of the most promising Swedish forwards of his generation. His combination of speed, vision, and offensive flair attracted attention from North American scouts well before he became draft-eligible. That trajectory led to his selection by the Detroit Red Wings in the second round of the 2018 NHL Entry Draft, where he was taken 33rd overall.
Path to Hockey
Berggren made his Swedish Hockey League debut with Skellefteå AIK during the 2017–18 SHL season, becoming one of the league’s youngest players. He was sidelined for most of the 2018–19 campaign with a back injury but returned healthy the following season and continued to develop within Skellefteå’s senior system. Internationally, he represented Sweden at the 2018 IIHF World U18 Championships, recording five goals and five assists in seven games to win a bronze medal. He later added another bronze at the 2020 World Junior Ice Hockey Championships, posting one goal and four assists in seven games.
In his fourth season with Skellefteå AIK, Berggren broke out offensively during the 2020–21 campaign. He finished sixth in SHL scoring with 45 points in 49 games and co-led his club in production. That season made him only the 13th player in SHL history to record more than 40 points in a season at age 20 or younger, and the first since Elias Pettersson in 2018. His performance confirmed his status as a top NHL prospect and paved the way for his move to North America.
Jonatan Berggren Career
Early Career (2017–2021)
Berggren’s first notable senior hockey came with Skellefteå AIK in the SHL, where he spent four seasons refining his offensive game. His 2020–21 breakout, in which he scored 45 points in 49 games, established him as one of Sweden’s most dangerous young forwards. That production directly led to his next opportunity, as Detroit signed him to a three-year entry-level contract on 20 May 2021.
After attending Red Wings training camp ahead of the 2021–22 season, Berggren was assigned to the American Hockey League affiliate, the Grand Rapids Griffins. The decision allowed him to acclimate to the North American style while continuing to develop against professional competition. The plan proved successful, as Berggren delivered one of the most productive rookie seasons in Griffins history.
Detroit Red Wings Era (2021–2025)
Berggren spent the entire 2021–22 AHL season with the Grand Rapids Griffins, where he set a new franchise rookie record for most points in a first season. He originally set the mark on 24 April 2022 with an assist against the Chicago Wolves and finished with 43 assists, 64 points, seven game-winning goals, and three overtime goals. His April performance, which included six goals and 14 assists in 14 games, earned him the AHL Rookie of the Month award.
Berggren began the 2022–23 season in the AHL after being reassigned on 9 October, but a quick start of four goals and three assists in seven games led to his NHL recall on 10 November. He made his NHL debut the following night against the New York Rangers, recording his first NHL assist, and scored his first NHL goal on 15 November against the Anaheim Ducks. He finished the season with 15 goals and 28 points, placing in the top 10 among NHL rookies in goals, and posted the highest shooting percentage of any Red Wings rookie since Henrik Zetterberg in 2002–03. He was named the 2023 Detroit Red Wings Rookie of the Year by the Detroit Sports Media Association.
After changing his jersey number from 52 to 48, Berggren was reassigned to the AHL to start 2023–24 but was recalled on 20 October under emergency conditions. On 16 September 2024, he signed a one-year, $825,000 contract with Detroit, continuing his role as a depth forward with offensive upside.
St. Louis Blues Era (2025–Present)
After struggling through the start of the 2025–26 NHL season, Berggren was waived by the Detroit Red Wings on 16 December 2025. The following day, the St. Louis Blues claimed him off waivers, opening a new chapter in his NHL career. The move gave Berggren an opportunity to reset his role and contribute to a Blues team looking to add scoring depth.
Driving Style and Strengths
Berggren is best known for his offensive creativity, slick passing, and confident puck-handling in tight spaces. His vision and ability to find teammates in high-danger areas make him an effective playmaker, while his quick release allows him to contribute goals as well. Berggren’s game translates well to skilled, possession-driven hockey, and his comfort on the power play adds value to his new club’s special teams.
Notable Events and Milestones
Among his signature achievements, Berggren set Grand Rapids Griffins rookie records with 43 assists and 64 points in 2021–22 and became the first SHL player since Elias Pettersson in 2018 to record 40-plus points in a season at age 20 or younger. He also won back-to-back international bronze medals with Sweden at the U18 and World Junior levels, highlighting his pedigree on the global stage.
Jonatan Berggren Career Wins
While individual goal totals and trophies vary by league, Berggren has built a resume highlighted by the Grand Rapids Griffins rookie records, the 2022 AHL Rookie of the Month honor, and the 2023 Detroit Red Wings Rookie of the Year award. He also captured bronze medals with Sweden at the 2018 IIHF U18 Worlds and the 2020 World Juniors. His professional win totals continue to grow with the St. Louis Blues.
NHL Highlights
Berggren’s most memorable NHL stretch came during the 2022–23 season, when he scored his first NHL goal against Anaheim and finished with 15 goals and 28 points as a rookie. His shooting efficiency ranked among the best in Red Wings rookie history, and his promotion to Detroit’s first line early in the season marked a strong vote of confidence from the coaching staff.
Other Wins & Performances
Across the SHL, AHL, and international stage, Berggren has consistently produced offensively, highlighted by his 45-point SHL campaign in 2020–21 and his record-setting 64-point rookie AHL season in 2021–22. His two international bronze medals further underscore his track record of performing in high-level competitions.
Jonatan Berggren Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
Public information about Jonatan Berggren’s immediate family is limited. He grew up in Uppsala, Sweden, and progressed through the country’s structured youth hockey development system before turning professional with Skellefteå AIK in 2018.
Personal Life
Berggren keeps his personal life largely private, and no verified public details about a spouse or children are available. His professional journey, from Uppsala to the NHL, remains the primary focus of his public profile.
2025 Season Performance
Berggren entered the 2025–26 NHL season with the Detroit Red Wings after signing a one-year, $825,000 contract in September 2024. After a slow start to the campaign, he was waived by Detroit on 16 December 2025 and claimed by the St. Louis Blues the following day. The midseason move gives him a chance to reset his role on a new team and contribute offensively in a Blues lineup seeking additional scoring depth.
Heading into the second half of the season, Berggren will look to build chemistry with his new teammates and re-establish the form that earned him NHL Rookie of the Year recognition with Detroit in 2023. His combination of playmaking, skating, and special teams upside makes him a logical fit in St. Louis’s forward group.
