The Colorado Avalanche called up defenseman Anton Lindholm from the San Antonio Rampage of the AHL. The move continues Colorado’s slow transition into a youth movement that was expected to begin weeks ago.

Lindholm, 22, has registered two goals and 10 assists for 12 points in 59 games played in his first year in North America. Lindholm previously played for Skelleftea of the Swedish Hockey League, the top professional league in Sweden. He tallied 11 assists in 75 games played in his SHL career. He was a fifth-round selection (144th overall) by the Avalanche in the 2014 NHL Draft. He will be the first member of that class to appear in the NHL.

Lindholm has widely been considered the most improved player in San Antonio this season from the start of the season and he is expected to join the Avalanche when they return home from Arizona for practice on Tuesday. Lindholm’s calling card is strong defense despite being a touch undersized at just 5’11”, 194 pounds. He’s willing to mix it up physically and his offensive game has made big strides from the start of the season. As evidenced by the video below, Lindholm has no issue defending his teammates when the situation calls for it.