Capitals Sign Jonas Johansson, Tomas Fleischmann
WASHINGTON, D.C. - June 1, 2004 – The Washington Capitals signed right wing Jonas Johansson (YOH-nus yoh-HAHN-suhn) and left wing Tomas Fleischmann (TAW-mash FLIGHSH-muhn) to three-year contracts, announced vice president and general manager George McPhee. Fleischmann and Johansson join Steve Eminger, Alexander Semin, Boyd Gordon and Maxime Daigneault as players selected in the 2002 Entry Draft to sign with the Capitals. Per club policy, financial terms of the deals were not disclosed.
“We were able to sign the two players we were hoping to sign,†said McPhee. “They are both very exciting young talents and, along with our numerous other young assets, make the future of this organization very bright.â€
Selected by Colorado in the first round, 28th overall, in the 2002 Entry Draft, the Capitals obtained Johansson’s rights from the Avalanche along with Bates Battaglia in exchange for Steve Konowalchuk and the Capitals’ third-round choice in the 2004 Entry Draft on Oct. 22, 2003. Fleischmann’s rights were acquired from Detroit, where he was the Red Wings’ second-round choice, 63rd overall, in the 2002 Entry Draft. Along with Fleischmann, the Capitals also acquired Detroit’s 2004 first-round draft choice and their 2006 fourth-round draft choice in exchange for Robert Lang on Feb. 27, 2004.
Johansson, 20, spent last season with Kamloops of the Western Hockey League, tallying 18 goals and 19 assists for 37 points in 72 games, ranking fourth on the team in scoring. He also appeared in five playoff games, recording two goals and two assists. In two seasons with Kamloops, the 6’2â€, 190-pound native of Jonkoping, Sweden, has totaled 28 goals and 44 assists for 72 points in 98 games.
Prior to his North American career, Johansson spent parts of three season with HV 71 of the Swedish junior league, scoring 34 goals and 30 assists in 62 games. He also appeared in five games for HV 71 Jonkoping in the Swedish Elite League during the 2001-02 season.
Fleischmann, 20, recorded 33 goals and 42 assists for 75 points in 60 games for Moose Jaw of the WHL last season, ranking second on the team in goals, assists and points. In 10 playoff games for the Warriors, the 6’, 185-pound native of Koprivnice, Czech Republic, added three goals and four assists. In 125 career games for Moose Jaw, he tallied 54 goals and 92 assists.
During the 2003-04 season, Fleischmann also represented the Czech Republic in the World Junior Championships, recording two goals and two assists in seven games while helping his team to a fourth-place finish.