The Hockey News International continues its look at prospects ahead of the season. In today’s edition, Jacob Smeds takes a closer look at the players who can make fans jump out of their seats with excitement. The Swedish prospect pool features several intriguing danglers worth following in the months ahead. Enjoy!
Elton Hermansson (RW), MoDo Hockey
Hermansson had a tremendous Hlinka Gretzky Cup, where he displayed his excellent puck-handling skills. The native of Örnsköldsvik, Sweden, created plays on nearly every shift and few players in the tournament could match his confidence with the puck.
Hermansson combines size and skill, and he is almost always able to stickhandle his way out of traffic. He doesn’t hesitate to use these abilities in all three zones, making him both an offensive weapon and a reliable playmaker during breakouts.
The highly regarded prospect creates space with his puck skills and has the hockey IQ to make the most of it. That makes him an effective playmaker and a valuable linemate. His shot is another asset, particularly from the left faceoff circle, where he isn’t afraid to fire one-timers. Hermansson is a true dual threat in the offensive zone.
Axel Elofsson (D), Örebro HK
Elofsson has brilliant technique and can create scoring chances on his own. He is an excellent puck carrier from the blue line and has the ability to move the play from the defensive zone into attack by himself. Despite his smaller size, he showed last season that he can be productive at the U20 level, putting up 32 points in 38 games for Örebro.
Elofsson’s strengths have been on full display during the preseason, most notably at the Hlinka Gretzky Cup where the offensive-minded defenseman recorded an impressive 11 points. That total was the highest by a defenseman in the tournament since 1993–94, when Oleg Tverdovsky also tallied 11 points.
The only concern NHL teams may have with Elofsson is his lack of size. If he can continue to develop his defensive game this season, he could convince many that he is capable of getting the job done in his own end despite not being the tallest player on the ice.
Viggo Björck (C), Djurgårdens IF
Viggo Björck is a complete offensive player. He has both the stickhandling skills and the hockey sense to make full use of his technical abilities. On top of that, he possesses an effective and deceptive shot that he can release even when the puck isn’t set up perfectly.
His brilliant offensive ability was on full display last season when he set the all-time scoring record in Sweden’s U20 league for a single season with 27 goals and 74 points in 42 games. The fact that he accomplished this as a 16-year-old makes it an extraordinary feat.
The next challenge for Björck will be translating his strong junior performances to the senior level. During the preseason, he has been a regular in Djurgården’s senior squad as they prepare for the SHL. He has mostly played on the wing, even though he spent most of his junior career at center. The offensive freedom that comes with playing on the wing could suit Björck well as he makes the jump to senior hockey.
Måns Josbrant (LW), Luleå HF
Josbrant is a goal scorer and dangler who creates chances on his own with his stickhandling and sharp finishing. He is the kind of player who often shows up in highlight reels thanks to his spectacular style of play. The Luleå forward is confident with the puck on his stick but knows when a quick shot is the right decision. Even when he holds onto the puck, there is always clear purpose behind his moves. With his offensive instincts, he brings something few other players in his age group possess.
Like many other U18 players, Josbrant’s challenge will be carrying his game as the level of competition rises. So far, he has shown that he can deliver even in tight games, as he did in the Swedish U18 playoffs last spring. At the Hlinka Gretzky Cup, other players received most of the offensive minutes, but his offensive potential was clear whenever he got the opportunity.
Marcus Nordmark (RW), Djurgårdens IF
Nordmark was one of the top offensive players at the Hlinka Gretzky Cup. The Djurgården forward has excellent movement in the offensive zone and shows great coordination in the way he handles the puck and releases his shots. What makes Nordmark most effective is his constant awareness of his teammates and his ability to choose the right moment to pass or shoot. It’s not uncommon to see him wind up for a shot, only to suddenly pull back and set up a teammate with a scoring chance.
This year’s Swedish draft class is deep, with several players in the mix to be the country’s top-ranked prospect. Heading into the season, Frölunda’s Ivar Stenberg looks to be in the lead, but Nordmark has shown that he could be one of the players to enter that discussion.