William Lagesson Bio
William Lagesson is a Swedish professional ice hockey defenceman who currently plays for the Grand Rapids Griffins in the American Hockey League (AHL) while under contract to the Detroit Red Wings of the National Hockey League (NHL). Standing 188 centimetres tall and weighing around 94 kilograms, Lagesson has built his career as a steady, defence-first blueliner since being selected in the fourth round, 91st overall, by the Edmonton Oilers in the 2014 NHL Entry Draft. Over the years, he has also worn the jerseys of the Montreal Canadiens, Toronto Maple Leafs, and Anaheim Ducks, gaining experience across several organizations in North America’s top professional leagues.
Early Life and Background
William Lagesson was born on 22 February 1996 in Gothenburg, Sweden, a city with a rich hockey tradition that has produced numerous Swedish professional players. Growing up in Sweden, Lagesson developed his game within the country’s well-regarded youth hockey system, eventually joining the Frölunda HC organization, one of the most respected development programs in the country. Playing in the J20 SuperElit, the top junior league in Sweden, Lagesson established himself as a promising defenceman, using his size and skating ability to stand out among his peers.
His performances in Swedish junior hockey quickly attracted the attention of NHL scouts. During his second season in the J20 SuperElit, Lagesson was selected in the first year of his draft eligibility by the Edmonton Oilers, who chose him 91st overall in the 2014 NHL Entry Draft. That same year, he was also chosen 11th overall in the 2014 United States Hockey League (USHL) Entry Draft by the Dubuque Fighting Saints, signalling his readiness to take the next step in his development.
Path to Hockey
After being drafted, Lagesson moved to North America to continue developing his game. He spent the 2014–15 season with the Dubuque Fighting Saints of the USHL, where he gained valuable experience playing against top junior prospects from across the continent. Following that season, he committed to a collegiate career with the University of Massachusetts Amherst, competing in the competitive Hockey East conference.
With the UMass Minutemen, Lagesson played two seasons at the NCAA level, refining his defensive game and adjusting to the North American style of play. After his sophomore year, he decided to turn professional and signed a three-year entry-level contract with the Edmonton Oilers on 7 April 2017. Shortly after, on 8 May 2017, the Oilers announced that Lagesson would spend the 2017–18 season in Sweden on loan with Djurgårdens IF of the Swedish Hockey League (SHL) to continue his development against high-level competition.
William Lagesson Career
Early Career (2017–2019)
During his time with Djurgårdens IF in the SHL, Lagesson made his professional debut and quickly became a regular on the blueline. Over 49 appearances, he recorded 1 goal and 12 assists for 13 points in the regular season, adding an assist in 11 post-season games. His steady play in Sweden helped him build confidence ahead of his return to North America.
After participating in the Oilers’ NHL training camp, Lagesson was assigned to begin the 2018–19 season with their AHL affiliate, the Bakersfield Condors, on 20 September 2018. He continued his progression in the minor leagues, working on his game under the Oilers’ system. As an impending restricted free agent and with the 2020–21 North American season delayed due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Lagesson signed a one-year contract in Sweden with the second-tier club HC Vita Hästen of the HockeyAllsvenskan on 23 September 2020, where he registered three goals and 12 points in 14 games.
Edmonton Oilers and Trade to Montreal (2021–2022)
Lagesson returned to North America for the 2021–22 season and appeared in 30 games with the Edmonton Oilers, contributing four points, while also playing 11 games with the Bakersfield Condors, where he added two points. On 21 March 2022, the Oilers traded him, along with a conditional second-round pick in the 2022 NHL Entry Draft and a 2024 seventh-round pick, to the Montreal Canadiens in exchange for defenceman Brett Kulak. After his contract with Montreal ended, Lagesson signed a one-year, two-way contract with the Carolina Hurricanes as a free agent on 25 July 2022.
Carolina Hurricanes and Toronto Maple Leafs (2022–2024)
Although signed by the Hurricanes, Lagesson never appeared for Carolina at the NHL level, spending the entire 2022–23 season with the team’s AHL affiliate, the Chicago Wolves. He played 65 games that year, scoring 10 goals and 32 points, showcasing an offensive side to his game. On 1 July 2023, he left the Hurricanes organization and signed a one-year, two-way contract with the Toronto Maple Leafs.
After attending the Maple Leafs’ 2023 training camp, Lagesson was placed on waivers and assigned to the Toronto Marlies to begin the 2023–24 season. He was recalled by the Maple Leafs on 27 October 2023 after an injury to Jake McCabe, and made his season debut the following day in a 3–2 overtime loss to the Nashville Predators. He went on to appear in 30 regular-season games for Toronto, recording four assists as a third-pairing defenceman.
Anaheim Ducks and Detroit Red Wings Era (2024–Present)
Approaching the NHL trade deadline, Lagesson was placed on waivers by the Maple Leafs and was claimed by the Anaheim Ducks on 9 March 2024. He made his Ducks debut on 12 March 2024 in a 7–2 loss to the Chicago Blackhawks, finishing the season scoreless through ten games with Anaheim. On 1 July 2024, Lagesson signed a one-year, $775,000 contract with the Detroit Red Wings as a free agent. After going unclaimed on waivers, he was assigned to the Red Wings’ AHL affiliate, the Grand Rapids Griffins, for the 2024–25 season.
Driving Style and Strengths
Lagesson is recognized as a defence-first blueliner who relies on his 188-centimetre frame and physical presence to win battles along the boards and in front of the net. He moves well for his size and is comfortable in a shutdown role, often deployed on the third pairing. His experience in multiple organizations and leagues has also made him a reliable penalty-killer and steady puck-mover in his own zone.
Notable Events and Milestones
One of the standout moments of Lagesson’s career came during his time with the Chicago Wolves, where he set a personal best with 32 points in 65 games during the 2022–23 season. Internationally, he represented Sweden at both the 2015 and 2016 World Junior Ice Hockey Championships, playing on the top pairing alongside Gustav Forsling in 2016 and scoring a goal in the bronze medal game against the United States, which Sweden lost 8–3 to finish fourth.
William Lagesson International Play
Lagesson has represented Sweden at the highest junior level, earning selection to the country’s junior team for two consecutive World Junior Championships. In 2015, he helped Sweden reach the bronze medal game, where the team fell to Slovakia to finish fourth. The following year, in 2016, he returned to the tournament on the top defensive pairing and scored a goal in the final against the United States, though Sweden once again finished fourth after an 8–3 loss.
William Lagesson Career Statistics
Across his professional career in North America and Sweden, Lagesson has appeared in regular-season games for Djurgårdens IF in the SHL, the Bakersfield Condors, Chicago Wolves, and Toronto Marlies in the AHL, and the Edmonton Oilers, Toronto Maple Leafs, and Anaheim Ducks in the NHL. With Djurgården, he posted 13 points in 49 games. With the Chicago Wolves, he recorded 32 points in 65 games. At the NHL level, he has dressed for the Oilers, Maple Leafs, and Ducks, contributing points primarily through his work as a stay-at-home defenceman.
William Lagesson Family
Family Background and Personal Life
Born and raised in Gothenburg, Sweden, William Lagesson developed his love for hockey through Sweden’s grassroots programs, with Frölunda HC serving as a key part of his early development. He has kept much of his personal and family life private, with no public details about his parents, spouse, or children available from verified sources.
2025 Season Outlook
Heading into the 2025 season, Lagesson remains under contract with the Detroit Red Wings and is expected to continue his role with the Grand Rapids Griffins in the AHL. After a steady 2024–25 campaign, he will be looking to position himself for another opportunity at the NHL level with the Red Wings organization. His experience and defensive reliability make him a dependable depth option, and a strong season in Grand Rapids could see him earn another call-up to Detroit’s blue line.