Photo credit: hockeyallsvenskan.se

Washington Capitals 2012 first round pick, Filip Forsberg, received a prestigious honor today. The forward was named the best under-20 player of the season in the HockeyAllsvenskan. Forsberg, who finished the season with 14 goals, 17 assists, and a plus-minus of plus-14, also captained the Swedish World Junior Championship team which won the silver medal this year and did the Gangnam Style dance multiple times to utter perfection.

“Lots of players have played well in the league, but of course I’m really happy to win the award,” Forsberg was quoted by the league and translated by friend-of-the-blog Jake Ware. “I’m a bit shocked as the competition was tough. I though Mikael Wikstrand was the favorite with all the points he’s put up.”

Here is Leksands IF’s press release announcing the award as translated by Jake.

The Golden Cage to Filip Forsberg

Viasat and HockeyAllsvenskan announced today that Filip Forsberg has been awarded the Golden Cage, the award given to HockeyAllsvenskan’s best junior.

Honor aside, the prize means that the club’s youth program will receive a check of 100,000 kronor.

It will be presented during the home game against Malmö on Saturday.

Also, here is the league’s justification for giving Forsberg the award.

Filip Forsberg has taken on big responsibility both on and off the ice. He has this season produced at nearly a point per game, and has developed into a leader. Filip has improved his floor and has particularly impressed in his ability to play one-on-one. He was team captain for the World Juniors, being selected to the All-Star Team, and is a big contributing factor as to why Leksand are HockeyAllsvenskan champions 2012/13.

Filip is also a warm and positive person off the ice and is always the first to help out his teammates.

The 100,000 kronor go to Leksand IF’s junior program as an award for the club’s successful use of its young hockey talents.

Forsberg, already signed to a three-year entry-level deal with the Capitals, is eligible to play for the Capitals this season or next.

“Uhhh, can somebody pick me up?” (Photo credit: VF-Sport)

After sixteen straight hours of negotiations, the NHL and NHLPA agreed to the framework of a new CBA at 5:45AM Sunday morning, effectively ending the lockout. Across the globe in Sweden, Washington Capitals forward Marcus Johansson, who had been playing for BIK Karlskoga of the second-tier HockeyAllsvenskan league, was on the bus heading towards Skåne for his team’s game against Malmö on Monday.

As Johansson and the team received word the lockout was over, the bus immediately pulled over at a Karlskoga gas station and dropped Johansson off. “It all happened very quickly,” cracked Johansson to the Swedish website VF-Sport (Värmlands Folkblad) an hour later.

Below, the jump, Jacob Ware (@JacobWare95) translates Johan Eriksson’s full conversation with Mojo, as the Capital travels home to Karlstad.

Marcus Johansson hangs out at the gas station. (Photo credit: VF-Sport)

What happened on the bus?

I had received little information, like all the players. Then we read on the internet about everything that had happened, and the decision to get off felt right. It would have been wrong to go to Malmö and sit there for two days and then suddenly find out that it is time to go. We were lucky the bus didn’t get too far.

I assume you’re happy the lockout is over?

Yes, very. It feels so nice. That’s where I want to play and that’s where I’ve lived two years and made a life for myself. Most of all, it’ll just be nice to stop living in constant uncertainty.

Marcus, what was it like to play in Karlskoga and the HockeyAllsvenskan?

It’s been really great to play, especially on such a fun team. The actual hockey has been up-and-down, but the team has been good and we’re on top of the Allsvenskan.

Compared to other players, you must feel well prepared [for the NHL season]?

Yes, I’ve played some games and I feel in good shape.

When are you going to North America?

I’m not sure exactly when I’ll fly over, but it will be in the next couple of days.

Forsberg scores! (Photo credit: Leksands IF)

While the NHL is shut down for the foreseeable future, international hockey is in full bloom. For example: Sweden, where Washington Capitals 2012 first round pick Filip Forsberg played his second full season for Leksands Idrottsförening of the Allsvenskan league.

On Tuesday the 18-year-old (who was rated the top-rated European skater going into this year’s draft) scored his first goal of the 2012-13 season and recorded an assist in Leksands IF’s 5-3 victory over Tingsryd.

Video is below the jump.

Forsberg’s power play goal is at the 30 second mark, his assist is at 1:00.

On his goal, Forsberg shows off some wise-beyond-his-years patience and a nose for the net as he collects a rebound in the slot, and then waits before rifling a shot to the top corner. On his assist, Forsberg speedily carries the puck into Tingsryd’s zone and finds teammate Martin Janhols wide-open for a one-timer.

So Evgeny Kuznetsov isn’t the only prospect you should be excited about.

With the win, Leksands IF pulls into a 7-way tie for first place in the league. Their plus-four goal differential is second best in the league, which is only three games into the season right now.

Photo credit: Leksands IF

Additional reporting by Fedor Fedin.