Karlsson, 20 (1/8/93), was named the 2012-13 Swedish Elite League Rookie of the Year after scoring 4-24=28 points with a +17 rating and 12 penalty minutes (PIM) in 50 games with HV71. Karlsson led all league rookies in assists, ranked second in scoring, tied for second in appearances and tied for third in game-winning goals (2). He also collected 0-2=2 points in five playoff games with HV71. In addition, Karlsson was a member of Sweden’s silver medal-winning squad at the 2013 IIHF World Junior Championship in Russia, earning 0-2=2 points with a +1 rating in six games.

Selected in the second round (53rd overall) of the 2011 NHL Entry Draft, Karlsson completed his second season with Vasteras of Sweden’s Allsvenskan league (second division) in 2011-12, scoring 12-33=45 points with six PIM and a +25 rating. He ranked tied for fourth among all Allsvenskan skaters in assists and was tied for 11th in scoring. A native of Marsta, Sweden, Karlsson won gold with Sweden at the 2012 IIHF World Junior Championship in Calgary and Edmonton, Alberta. He scored 1-1=2 points in six tournament contests.