The Ducks held their development camp from July 1 to July 5, culminating in a 40-minute 3v3 scrimmage on Friday.
The Ducks held their development camp from July 1 to July 5, culminating in a 40-minute 3v3 scrimmage on Friday.
The Anaheim Ducks held their annual development camp during the first five days of July. They featured potential future core members of the organization like Cutter Gauthier, Beckett Sennecke, and Stian Solberg.
Though not many significant overarching aspects can be concluded from a five-day skills camp, there were nuggets of insight to be found.
The Ducks selected Stian Solberg (18) with the 23rd overall pick in the 2024 NHL Draft. He was toted as the "most violent player in the draft" heading into night one of the draft on June 28.
Ducks Development Camp Takeaway: Sennecke's Self-Awareness
A surprising run of forwards selected in the 17-22 draft range caused Solberg, who many draft pundits deemed the fifth or sixth-best defenseman in the draft, to drop out of the teens. The Ducks held the 31st pick in the first round and saw an opportunity to trade up for the 6-foot-2 hard-hitting Norwegian defenseman.
The Ducks traded the 31st overall pick and the 58th overall pick to the Toronto Maple Leafs in exchange for the 23rd overall pick.
Three days later, Solberg, who was deemed "Radko Gudas, but three inches taller" by Ducks GM Pat Verbeek, was set to take part in the Ducks' five-day development camp from July 1 to July 5.
Solberg Practices the Way He Plays, Hard
It didn't take long for Solberg's impact to be felt at development camp. From the first time a whistle was blown, he competed. He competed hard. He absorbed knowledge from the coaching staff, simulating game speed at every turn, and tattled for every inch of ice or loose puck.
"I just really like to play hard and I really enjoy the physical part of the game," Solberg said after the Ducks' 3v3 scrimmage to end development camp. "It comes natural. I don’t see why not to play hard."
Solberg displayed his trademark physicality every chance he could during camp and didn't take it easy on other attendees simply because they're potential future teammates and friends.
Ducks Development Camp Takeaway: Cutter Gauthier's Commitment
He participated in every drill with the intensity, focus, and attention to detail he brings to game environments.
The Ducks utilize stick-less defensive drills to teach proper technique when defending 1v1; angling, body position, and engagement through the opponent's torso.
During battle drills, Solberg displayed textbook defensive habits, skillfully and ferociously separating the puck carrier from the puck.
A Surprising Amount of Skill
When one is deemed "the most violent player in the draft," that often comes with a typecasting as solely a "defensive-defenseman."
The Ducks coaching staff prioritized skating elements as much as defensive ones with a sprinkling of shooting and puck protection components. Solberg thrived in every facet.
His stride is explosive and he's shiftier than expected in the offensive zone. His shot is heavy, accurate, and he can release it at any angle with a potent quickness.
Jan Myšák speaks from Ducks development camp
Moving pucks up the ice, he has a crisp first pass, deceptive intentions, and confident puckhandling skills.
Like with the defensive drills, Solberg approaches the skill-driven ones with an unmatched intensity.
"When you’re going to handle a new level, you have to work on everything," Solberg said. "So of course I’m going to play in Sweden next year and that’s a new level from the Norwegian league, so I’m going to keep training on everything and focus on everything."
Ducks Sign Sennecke and Solberg to ELCs
Solberg tallied 15 points in 42 regular season games for Vålerenga of Norway's top professional league. He added nine points in 17 playoff games and led his team with 35 penalty minutes.
He represented Norway in five World Junior Championship games in Dec./Jan., scoring two points. He wrapped up his 2023-24 campaign again representing Norway in seven games at the IIHF World Championship in May, where he added another three points.
Solberg will be off to the SHL in 2024-25 to join Ducks goaltending prospect Damian Clara, playing for Färjestad BK. He'll continue to refine his skillset in a higher-profile league, bringing him one step closer to the NHL.
He already has a strong base of fundamentals and habits, so polishing decision-making against tougher opponents will be most beneficial for his development.
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