Latest news with #Leksands
Yahoo
a day ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Centres Koblar and Hopkins are first two Leaf picks at NHL draft
The Maple Leafs waited a long time for their first pick at the NHL draft, then went a long way to find him. Welcome to Toronto Tinus Luc Koblar, a wispy 6-foot-3 centre of Norwegian-Slovenian descent, who played for Leksands juniors in the Swedish league. He was ranked 56th among international skaters by Central Scouting and had eight goals and 21 points in 43 games last season. The Leafs picked 56th overall on Saturday at the end of the second round, having traded their first-rounder to Chicago and holding Florida's selection. They last went for a Norwegian-born player in 2010, Sondre Olden, another tall kid, who also played in Sweden and though he came to camp in North America, he never made the NHL. In the third round, 86th overall, Toronto looked closer to home with Tyler Hopkins, a 6-foot-1 centre with the Kingston Frontenacs. The Campbellville native amassed 51 points in 67 games with five assists in 11 playoff appearances. Koblar had not warranted a lot of ice time this year in Leksands, in part because of his age (17). He's the second Leksands player Toronto has taken in as many years after Victor Johansson at 120th last season behind first rounder Ben Danford. Koblar has seen a lot of action for the Norwegian junior team in international competition. The Leafs last went for a Norwegian born player in 2010, forward Sondre Olden, another tall kid, who also played in Sweden and though he came to camp in North America, he never made the NHL. Koblar was not at the Peacock Theater in Los Angeles when league deputy commissioner Bill Daly read his name, though he spoke to the Leaf management team back in expected he'll attend the Leafs development camp next week in Toronto. Lhornby@ X: @sunhornby
Yahoo
a day ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
2025 NHL Draft: Maple Leafs Use 64th Pick to Select Norwegian Tinus Luc Koblar
After a bit of a wait, the Toronto Maple Leafs selected Norwegian forward Tinus Luc Koblar with the 64th overall pick in the 2025 NHL Draft. The 6-foot-3 center currently plays for Leksands in the Swedish under-20 league. While not a major point producer—with just eight goals and 13 assists in 45 games last season—Koblar is known for his playmaking and puck distribution. His skating is an area the Leafs will need to develop, but he is projected as a potential middle-six forward. Combined with his size, his strong net-front presence suggests he could blossom into a valuable contributor. He also brings strong defensive skills that should translate well to the NHL level as the Leafs work on other areas of his game. Having played for Norway's national junior teams, he is experienced in all situations. The Leafs were surely impressed by his recent playoff performance, where Koblar excelled for Leksands by scoring four goals in seven games. According to head scout Mark Leach, the organization looks for players who have a history of excelling in key moments. Certainly, Toronto sees that upside in the young forward. More to come... Toronto Maple Leafs News and Community Toronto Maple Leafs News and Community Toronto Maple Leafs news, video, analysis and community on The Hockey News Follow all Leafs news at John Tavares Explains Why He 'Left Money' On The Table To Remain With Maple Leafs John Tavares Explains Why He 'Left Money' On The Table To Remain With Maple Leafs John Tavares Advertisement took less money to remain with the Toronto Maple Leafs. John Tavares Takes Pay Cut in 4-Year Extension With Hometown Maple Leafs Worth $4.38M Per Season John Tavares Takes Pay Cut in 4-Year Extension With Hometown Maple Leafs Worth $4.38M Per Season John Tavares is returning to the Toronto Maple Leafs.
National Post
a day ago
- Sport
- National Post
Centres Koblar and Hopkins are first two Leaf picks at NHL draft
The Maple Leafs waited a long time for their first pick at the NHL draft, then went a long way to find him. Article content Welcome to Toronto Tinus Luc Koblar, a wispy 6-foot-3 centre of Norwegian-Slovenian descent, who played for Leksands juniors in the Swedish league. He was ranked 56 th among international skaters by Central Scouting and had eight goals and 21 points in 43 games last season. Article content Article content Article content Welcome to the family, Tinus Luc Koblar 🔹 — Toronto Maple Leafs (@MapleLeafs) June 28, 2025 Article content The Leafs picked 56th overall on Saturday at the end of the second round, having traded their first-rounder to Chicago and holding Florida's selection. They last went for a Norwegian-born player in 2010, Sondre Olden, another tall kid, who also played in Sweden and though he came to camp in North America, he never made the NHL. Article content In the third round, 86th overall, Toronto looked closer to home with Tyler Hopkins, a 6-foot-1 centre with the Kingston Frontenacs. The Campbellville native amassed 51 points in 67 games with five assists in 11 playoff appearances. Article content
Edmonton Journal
a day ago
- Sport
- Edmonton Journal
Centre Tinus Luc Koblar is first Leaf selection at the NHL draft
Article content The Maple Leafs waited a long time for their first pick at the NHL draft, then went a long way to find him. Welcome to Toronto Tinus Luc Koblar, a wispy 6-foot-3 centre of Norwegian-Slovenian descent, who played for Leksands juniors in the Swedish league. He was ranked 56 th among international skaters by Central Scouting and had eight goals and 21 points in 43 games last season.
