Latest news with #DjurgårdensIF
Yahoo
30-06-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Ducks Select Nine Players on Day 2 of 2025 NHL Draft
After coming away with Roger McQueen on Day 1 of the 2025 NHL Draft, the Ducks made nine selections on Day 2, adding 10 players in total to their pipeline. Anaheim used their bevy of picks—which included two in the second, fourth and fifth rounds—to select players that they were 'passionate' about, as Ducks assistant general manager and Director of Amateur Scouting Martin Madden noted in his post-draft media availability. Advertisement 'You can't be too sticky on shooting side or position,' Madden said. 'Yes, we try to balance things out and not make it so one-sided. But, at the end of the day, the odds are already so much against most of these kids. It's tough to make it to the NHL and you need somebody pushing hard for you, supporting you all throughout the process—the next four or five years. And that comes down to the development staff, but it also comes down to the local scout, so that's how it happened.' Here's a brief look at each prospect that the Ducks selected on Day 2 of the 2025 NHL Draft: Eric Nilson - Djurgårdens IF, Forward (selected 45th overall) Nilson was 'their guy,' according to Madden. Attempts to move up from 45th overall were made, with concern that Nilson might not be available when the Ducks were on the clock for their first pick of Day 2. Luck was on their side as Nilson was still available when pick no. 45 came around. Advertisement After playing for Djurgårdens' J20 team this past season, Nilson will be heading stateside to play hockey at Michigan State. 'It's kind of different, how we play in Sweden from playing (in the U.S.),' Nilsson said. '(Playing at Michigan State will) change that and (help me) come into the American style of play.' Lasse Boelius - Ässät, Defenseman (selected 60th overall) Boelius is a puck-moving defenseman from Finland who Madden likened to the profile that they've drafted on numerous occasions throughout the past decade. He had a strong performance for Finland at the U18 World Juniors and even played several games for Ässät's first team this past season. Advertisement Noah Read - London Knights, Forward (selected 72nd overall) Read had quite the rookie season in the OHL, playing the role of jack of all trades on a stacked Knights squad. He found himself on nearly every line at least once throughout the season while moonlighting as both a center and a wing. To top it all off, he ended the season as both an OHL champion and a Memorial Cup champion. He could have the opportunity to seize a bigger role next season with London graduating several of their top forwards. Drew Schock - U.S. NTDP, Defenseman (selected 101st overall) A Michigan University commit, Schock continues the archetype of puck-moving defensemen that the Ducks have sought in the draft. He spent the last two seasons with the NTDP and was an alternate captain for Team USA's U18 World Juniors squad, where he averaged a point per game. Advertisement Elijah Neuenschwander - HC Fribourg-Gottéron, Goaltender (selected 104th overall) Hailing from Biel-Bienne, the city where former Anaheim Ducks goaltender Jonas Hiller concluded his professional career, Neuenschwander is a big kid at 6-foot-4. Like Damian Clara two years ago, albeit in the second round, the Ducks went slightly off the board to select a mammoth goaltender. But, Neuenschwander has performed well at the domestic level and held his own internationally. Alexis Mathieu - Baie-Comeau Drakkar, Defenseman (selected 136th overall) Like Neuenschwander, Mathieu also towers over many of his peers at 6-foot-4. He is an aggressive defender who uses his physicality to erase opposing players with ferocity. Advertisement Mathieu was also the only Ducks draft pick besides Nilson who attended the draft. Congratulations from his family and friends was coupled with cheers and applause from what remained of the Peacock Theater crowd. Émile Guité - Chicoutimi Saguenéens, Forward (selected 159th overall) A teammate of 2024 Ducks draft pick Maxim Massé, Guité was projected to be a top-64 pick in this year's draft prior to the 2024-25 season. However, inconsistent performances dropped his stock tremendously, causing him to fall to the fifth round. There is belief though in the Ducks' organization that Guité can put the pieces together and show why he was once projected to be a high-round draft pick. Advertisement Anthony Allain-Samaké - Sioux City Musketeers, Defenseman (selected 168th overall) One of the youngest players in his draft class, Allain-Samaké will play alongside 2024 Ducks draft pick Alexandre Blais at the University of Connecticut next season. The early transition to collegiate hockey offers a huge opportunity for Allain-Samaké, with his late birthdate also giving him a long runway for his development. Brady Turko - Brandon Wheat Kings, Forward (selected 200th overall) McQueen's juniors teammate, Turko is younger than Allain-Samaké. While undersized, he has displayed good offensive instincts and could benefit from having a bigger role with Brandon next season. Featured image caption: Jun 28, 2025; Los Angeles, California, USA; Eric Nilson fields questions after being selected as the 45th overall pick to the Anaheim Ducks in the second round of the 2025 NHL Draft at Peacock Theater. Mandatory Credit: Derek Lee-The Hockey News
Yahoo
26-06-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Kraken 2025 Draft Targets: Victor Eklund
Victor Eklund is the #2 ranked European skater in this year's NHL Draft, just sliding in behind his Djurgårdens IF teammate, Anton Frondell. The 18 year old, two-way center looks to be a top 10 draft pick on Friday after spending the entirety of his junior and burgeoning professional career in Sweden where he shines brightly in league and international play. He looks to join the NHL ranks along with his brother, William Eklund, who has just completed his second full season with the San Jose Sharks. This past season, Eklund posted 19 goals and 12 assists in 42 regular season games for Djurgårdens IF, a club in HockeyAllsvenskan, which is the second highest tier of professional hockey in Sweden after the SHL. Eklund and Djurgårdens IF won the HockeyAllsvenskan league championship and will be promoted to the top Sweden tier, SHL for the 2025-26 campaign. If Eklund doesn't crack the NHL roster immediately, he will most likely have a chance to develop further in the SHL. Advertisement The NHL club that selects Eklund will hope that he can bring his intensity and skills to their team in working order and that the translation from his game in Sweden to the NHL will be swift. Related NHL Draft - What Could the Future Hold for the Kraken's 8th Overall Pick? - Community Post NHL Draft - What Could the Future Hold for the Kraken's 8th Overall Pick? - Community Post With the 2025 NHL Draft only a week away, the Seattle Kraken currently hold the 8th overall pick. Let's take a look at how the past ten players who were picked 8th overall are doing. Eklund featured photo by - via Eklund hero photo by - via hockey
Yahoo
11-06-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Mock Drafts List Two Top Prospects on Red Wings' Radar Ahead of NHL Draft
Early mock drafts present two exciting talents that the Red Wings are expected to select with their first-round pick. Image The 2025 NHL Draft is fast approaching, set to begin in just over two weeks at the Peacock Theater at L.A. Live in Los Angeles. The first round will take place on June 27, with rounds two through seven scheduled for the following day, June 28. Advertisement Holding the 13th overall selection, the Detroit Red Wings are once again in position to add a key piece to their rebuild. Speculation around their potential pick is already heating up, with draft analysts offering early projections. deputy managing editor Adam Kimelman and senior draft writer Mike G. Morreale have each made their predictions, listing off two highly sought-after prospects as likely targets for Detroit. Both players are considered top-tier talent and would bring significant upside to a Red Wings team still building toward long-term contention. More Red Wings: Could the Red Wings Sign Maple Leafs' Mitch Marner? New Betting Odds Spark Major Buzz Victor Eklund - Djurgårdens IF Eklund, 18, is a Swedish winger, who is coming off a great season for Djurgårdens IF in HockeyAllsvenskan, Sweden's second-tier professional hockey league. He managed 19 goals and 12 assists for 31 points over 42 regular-season games in one of the most competitive leagues in all of Europe. He added to his success with another seven points in 16 playoff games. In early prospect rankings, he is widely regarded as one of the top prospects in the 2025 NHL Draft class with some experts like The Hockey News' Tony Ferrari, who has Eklund listed as the fourth-best player available. Advertisement His development has been closely followed due to his consistent performance at Sweden's national teams, including runs where he proved he can be a difference maker like when he recorded four goals and two assists in seven games, helping Sweden earn a bronze medal at the 2024 IIHF World U18 Championship. He followed up the performance with a strong showing the following year with a pair of goals and four assists across 7 games. Bookmark The Hockey News Detroit Red Wings team site to stay connected to the latest news, game-day coverage, and player features. NHL Central Scouting ranks him first among European skaters, and The Hockey Writers and TSN analyst Bob McKenzie have both placed him in the top 10 overall, between sixth and ninth picks. Hockey runs in Eklund's blood as his father, Christian Eklund, played professionally for Djurgårdens IF, and his older brother William Eklund is a highly regarded prospect who was drafted in the seventh overall back in 2021 by the San Jose Sharks. Carter Bear - Everett Silvertips Bear, 18, showed a lot of promise with the Silvertips this past season, recording 40 goals and 42 assists for an astonishing 82 points in just 56 games. The Winnipeg native's season was derailed however, as he suffered a brutal Achilles injury in early March that ended his season. Insiders have noted Bear is ahead of schedule in his recovery and expects to be fully healthy for NHL training camps. In early prospect rankings, he is widely regarded as one of the top prospects in the 2025 NHL Draft class with some experts like The Hockey News' Tony Ferrari, who have Bear listed as the seventh-best player available. Advertisement Bear hasn't yet had the chance to represent his country on the international stage like Eklund, but he's found success everywhere he's played, racking up 139 points in 123 games with Everett over the past two seasons. The young forward has been elevated to an 'A' rating by NHL Central Scouting, alluding to the fact that Bear should be a first-round round. Analysts like Steven Ellis have highlighted Bear as the biggest riser in recent rankings, noting his high compete level and well-rounded game. Never miss a story by adding us to your Google News favorites.
Yahoo
26-05-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Eric Nilson Commits To Michigan State
Djurgårdens IF forward Eric Nilson has committed to Michigan State, it was announced on Friday. A native of Calgary, Alta., Nilson played in 37 games for Djurgårdens IF's J20 team this past season, where he tallied 12 goals and 26 assists. Nilson is eligible for the 2025 NHL Entry Draft and is ranked as the seventh-best European skater by NHL Central Scouting in its final rankings. A 2007-born skater, Nilson will make the jump to the NCAA and join the Spartans for the 2025-26 season. Make sure you bookmark The Hockey News' NCAA Page for the latest news, exclusive interviews, breakdowns and so much more.
Yahoo
24-05-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
SDHL Offseason Update: Djurgårdens IF
Djurgårdens IF has had a busy offseason. Here's a look at what the SDHL club has been up to. Ida Boman - G - Boman's recent signing with Färjestad is a huge loss. Her 29 starts in 2024-25 were first in the league, while she boasted a sterling .936 save percentage, a 1.55 GAA and seven shutouts, all career best numbers. Tereza Plosová - F - Last season's top scorer (35 gp,17g, 9a, 26pts) begins at the University of Minnesota in August. Hana Haasová - F - Signed with Linköping where she hopes to bounce back after a dip in production this past season. Tereza Pistēková - F - Signed with SDE. Speedy forward oozes talent. Will she develop consistency under taskmaster head coach Peter Elander? Linnea Natt Och Dag - D - Burly defender will begin her freshman season at the University of Minnesota-Duluth in the Fall. The team has announced few re-signings thus far, but the one that has been revealed is a good one: veteran captain Brette Pettet will return for the 2025-26 season. The Canadian embraced her leadership role last year, and was often seen barking orders before faceoffs, fist bumping, and egging on her young teammates. Her 14 goals were good for second place in team goal scoring behind only Plosová. Swedish national team defender Emma Forsgren, up-and-coming D Wilma Georgny and a slew of others remain without announced contract extensions. Meanwhile, emerging power forward Isabelle Leijonhielm has declared for the PWHL Draft. If she is selected and makes the jump overseas, DIF will have yet another big pair of skates to fill. The void left by star goalie Ida Boman has quickly been filled, as the team has announced the signing of 27-year-old Minnesotan Lauren Bench. Bench comes to Djurgården with oodles of top level hockey under her belt. She spent four seasons at the NCAA's Bemidji State University before transferring to The University of Minnesota for her final two years, where she put up sterling numbers in the always tough WCHA. In 2022-23, she played for the SDHL's MoDo before heading back to her home state the following season with PWHL Minnesota, where she served as a reserve player. While Bench is undoubtedly a top notch goalie, she might also prove to be a bit of a risk — she hasn't played a competitive game since 2023. DIF's other big off season signing so far is diminutive Canadian forward Tiffany Hill. The Nova Scotian played four seasons at Dartmouth before transferring to Penn State for her graduate year. Having put up only 16 goals and 36 points in 116 NCAA games, Hill could struggle to produce for DIF, a team that has lost four of its top five scorers since the end of the playoffs. Nearly three months into the off season, DIF looks like a completely different team. The departures of Plosová, Pistēková, Natt Och Dag and Haasová are just the beginning. Czech U-18 National Team captain Linda Vocetková has committed to Colgate University and will not return. Goaltender Boman was a hot commodity league wide, and has now signed with Färjestad. Defender Forsgren could be testing the market. So far, Djurgården's management is keeping their cards close to their chest. They may have other signings to announce in the near future, the calibre of which could depend on the club's men's team. The boys recently won promotion to the top Swedish league, the SHL, which could mean a new budget (whether bigger or smaller remains to be seen) for the women next season.
