Jonatan Berggren Bio
Jonatan Berggren is a Swedish professional ice hockey player who plays as a forward for the St. Louis Blues of the National Hockey League. Born on 16 July 2000 in Uppsala, Sweden, he was selected 33rd overall by the Detroit Red Wings in the 2018 NHL Entry Draft and began his professional career with Skellefteå AIK in the Swedish Hockey League. Berggren established himself as one of the top young forwards in the Detroit Red Wings system before transitioning to the St. Louis Blues in December 2025. Standing 5 feet 11 inches tall and weighing 183 pounds, he shoots left and is widely regarded for his offensive skill set and playmaking vision.
Early Life and Background
Jonatan Berggren was born on 16 July 2000 in Uppsala, a historic university city in central Sweden. Growing up in a country with a deep hockey tradition, Berggren was introduced to the sport at a young age and progressed through Sweden’s established youth development system. Uppsala’s proximity to competitive junior programs allowed him to refine his skills in highly competitive environments from an early stage.
Before reaching the professional ranks, Berggren developed his game within Skellefteå AIK’s renowned junior program, widely considered one of the most respected development pipelines in Swedish hockey. This structured environment helped him build the foundational skills that would later translate to professional success. His growth within Skellefteå’s system positioned him as one of the most promising Swedish forwards of his draft class.
Path to Hockey
Berggren made his Swedish Hockey League debut with Skellefteå AIK during the 2017–18 SHL season, marking his first appearance in one of Europe’s top professional leagues. His progress was temporarily halted during the 2018–19 season, when a back injury sidelined him for most of the campaign. Despite the setback, he returned to the lineup and continued his development with the club.
His breakout came during the 2020–21 SHL season, when Berggren finished sixth in league scoring with 45 points in 49 games and co-led Skellefteå AIK in offensive production. That season, he became only the 13th player in SHL history to record more than 40 points in a single season at age 20 or younger, and the first to do so since Elias Pettersson in 2018. His performance drew the attention of NHL scouts and set the stage for his move to North America.
Jonatan Berggren Career
Early Career (2017–2021)
Berggren spent his formative professional years with Skellefteå AIK in the SHL, where he steadily developed into a top-six forward. After a strong 2020–21 campaign, he signed a three-year entry-level contract with the Detroit Red Wings on 20 May 2021. The agreement marked his official transition to the North American professional game and reflected the organization’s confidence in his offensive upside.
Following his signing, Berggren attended Red Wings training camp ahead of the 2021–22 season but was assigned to the American Hockey League affiliate, the Grand Rapids Griffins, to begin the year. This assignment allowed him to adjust to the smaller North American rink while continuing to refine his game against professional competition.
Detroit Red Wings Era (2021–2025)
During the 2021–22 season with the Grand Rapids Griffins, Berggren set a new franchise record for most points by a rookie in a single season. He initially set the record on 24 April 2022 with an assist against the Chicago Wolves and finished the year with 43 assists, 64 points, seven game-winning goals, and three overtime goals. His strong play earned him the AHL Rookie of the Month award for April 2022, after he recorded six goals and 14 assists in 14 games.
Berggren made his NHL debut on 10 November 2022 against the New York Rangers, recording his first NHL assist that night. He scored his first NHL goal on 15 November against the Anaheim Ducks and quickly earned a promotion to the Red Wings’ first line. He finished the 2022–23 season ranked in the top 10 among NHL rookies in goals with 15 and 14th overall with 28 points, while posting the highest shooting percentage of any Red Wings rookie since Henrik Zetterberg in 2002–03. His performance earned him the 2023 Detroit Red Wings Rookie of the Year award from the Detroit Sports Media Association.
Following his rookie NHL campaign, Berggren changed his jersey number from 52 to 48. He began the 2023–24 season in the AHL but was recalled under emergency conditions on 20 October 2023. On 16 September 2024, he signed a one-year, $825,000 contract with the Red Wings, continuing his tenure within the organization.
St. Louis Blues Era (2025–Present)
After a difficult start to the 2025–26 season, Berggren was placed on waivers by the Detroit Red Wings on 16 December 2025. The following day, on 17 December 2025, he was claimed by the St. Louis Blues, marking a fresh chapter in his NHL career. The move provided him with a new opportunity to compete for a consistent role at the top level.
Berggren joined the Blues aiming to reset his momentum and contribute offensively to a team looking to add skilled forward depth. His transition to St. Louis came at a critical point in his development, as he continues to build on the foundation established during his time in the Detroit organization.
Driving Style and Strengths
Berggren is recognized for his high hockey IQ, creative playmaking, and quick offensive instincts. His ability to read the game at speed allows him to generate scoring chances both at even strength and on the power play. Coaches have consistently praised his poise with the puck and his willingness to attack offensive-zone opportunities with confidence.
Notable Events and Milestones
Among Berggren’s signature accomplishments are setting the Grand Rapids Griffins rookie points record in 2021–22 and becoming only the 13th player in SHL history to surpass 40 points in a season at age 20 or younger. He also represented Sweden at both the 2018 IIHF World U18 Championships and the 2020 World Junior Ice Hockey Championships, winning bronze medals at each tournament.
Jonatan Berggren Career Wins
Jonatan Berggren has accumulated several notable achievements across Swedish and North American professional hockey, including individual awards, franchise records, and international medals. While he has not yet captured a major professional team championship, his trophy case includes league-wide recognition and historic statistical milestones.
SHL Highlights
During the 2020–21 SHL season with Skellefteå AIK, Berggren finished sixth in league scoring with 45 points in 49 games and co-led his team in offensive production. He became the first player since Elias Pettersson in 2018 to record more than 40 points in an SHL season at age 20 or younger, cementing his status as one of the league’s brightest young forwards.
Other Wins and Performances
Berggren won a bronze medal with Sweden at the 2018 IIHF World U18 Championships, recording five goals and five assists in seven games. He added another bronze at the 2020 World Junior Ice Hockey Championships, contributing one goal and four assists in seven games. He was also named the AHL Rookie of the Month for April 2022 and the Detroit Red Wings Rookie of the Year in 2023.
Jonatan Berggren Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
Details about Jonatan Berggren’s family background and early upbringing remain limited in publicly available sources. He grew up in Uppsala, Sweden, where he developed his hockey skills within the country’s strong youth development system.
Personal Life
Jonatan Berggren maintains a private personal life, with limited public information regarding relationships or family outside of his professional hockey career. He continues to focus on his development as an NHL player with the St. Louis Blues.
2025 Season Performance
The 2025–26 NHL season began as a challenging stretch for Jonatan Berggren with the Detroit Red Wings, as he struggled to produce consistent offensive results in limited opportunities. Following a difficult opening to the campaign, the Red Wings placed him on waivers on 16 December 2025, ending his tenure within the organization.
Berggren was claimed by the St. Louis Blues the following day, providing him with a new environment to showcase his skills. The mid-season move offered him an opportunity to reset his momentum and compete for a more prominent role within the Blues’ forward group.
Looking ahead, Berggren’s outlook in St. Louis centers on leveraging his playmaking ability and offensive instincts to carve out a meaningful role. His track record of producing at every level, from the SHL to the AHL to the NHL, suggests he has the tools to thrive with a fresh opportunity.