 Almqvist was drafted 210th overall by the Detroit Red Wings in the 2009 NHL Entry Draft.In early November 2009, HV71 signed Almqvist to a three-year contract.Almqvist was the highest scoring junior player in the 2010 Elitserien playoffs, recording one goal and ten assists in 16 playoff games, to help lead HV71 to the Elitserien Championship.