David Gustafsson was born on April 11th, 2000, in Tingsryd, Sweden. He is a centre who has spent his entire NHL playing career with the Winnipeg Jets. Listed as 6-foot-2 and 196 pounds, Gustafsson is a left-handed shot. His early playing days originated in his home country when he played for Tingsryds AIF U16 and J18 2 teams. He would later join HV71 U16, J18, and J20 teams before making his professional hockey debut with HV71 of the SHL.
Drafted 60th Overall by the Winnipeg Jets
David Gustafsson didn’t have to wait long for his name to be called on day two of the 2018 NHL Entry Draft. At the end of the second round, Gustafsson was selected at 60th overall by the Winnipeg Jets. He wouldn’t transition to the Jets’ system yet, opting to play the 2018-19 season with HV71 and represent his home country internationally. When Gustafsson was ready to come over, he signed his three-year entry-level contract (ELC) on June 13th, 2019, and began his NHL career.
Gustafsson made his NHL debut on October 15th, 2019, but wouldn’t register a point. Finally, on November 27th, 2019, David Gustafsson scored his first career NHL goal against the San Jose Sharks. That would be his only goal/point in the 22 games he suited up for the Winnipeg Jets in 2019-20. He would also spend time with the Manitoba Moose, the Jets’ AHL affiliate, during the same season. He posted seven points (2G, 5A) in 13 AHL contests.
Gustafsson rejoined Tingsryds AIF of HockeyAllsvenskan on loan once the Winnipeg Jets were eliminated from the 2020 Stanley Cup Playoffs. He posted 17 points (7G, 10A) in 16 games for Tingsryds AIF and would later rejoin the Jets and Moose.
Contract Extensions in Winnipeg
At the end of Gustafsson’s three-year ELC, he signed a two-year contract extension to stay with the Winnipeg Jets. The final two years of his ELC saw him play the majority of the season with the Manitoba Moose, and Gustafsson dawned an alternate captaincy crest during the 2021-22 season. Gustafsson also posted career AHL numbers that season, posting 30 points (15G, 15A) in 47 games for the Moose that season. He spent his entire 2022-23 season with the Jets, posting six points/assists across 46 games. In the final year of his two-year extension, Gustafsson posted a career-high seven points (3G, 4A) in 39 games while also posting three assists/points in six AHL games
Gustafsson was a restricted free agent (RFA) in the 2024 offseason and signed another two-year contract extension on July 6th, 2024. He is set to become an RFA with arbitration rights at the end of the contract expiration.
Internationally, Gustafsson has represented his home country, Sweden. He’s won a U16 SM Gold Medal along with being named the Most Valuable Player in that tournament. He won a Gold Medal in the U17 World Junior Championship (WJC). A J20 SM Gold Medal, an Ivan Hlinka Memorial Bronze Medal, a U18 WJC Bronze Medal and a U20 WJC Bronze Medal.
