The 6-foot-2 defenseman is the second Norwegian ever to be drafted in the first round.

The Ducks just got a lot bigger. After taking 6-foot-2 Beckett Sennecke with the third overall pick, they traded up with the Toronto Maple Leafs from 31st overall to 23rd overall and took Norwegian defenseman Stian Solberg.

Ducks general manager Pat Verbeek described Solberg as “Radko Gudas but three inches taller,” referring to the current Ducks’ blueliner who is capable of punishing hits.

Elite Prospects describes Solberg as a player who “inflicts pain every chance he gets, immobilizes opponents, and knocks them away from the front of the net.” Gudas with a couple of inches seems like an apt description.

Solberg is expected to play in the SHL next season with Färjestad alongside 2023 Ducks draft Damian Clara. The Norwegian conducted interviews in English and Swedish with ease, along with one in his native language.

Described as “the most violent player in the 2024 NHL Draft,” Solberg chuckled as he explained that he isn’t a violent person off of the ice. “I think that’s a positive thing (though),” he said with a grin.

Where Solberg garnered the most attention was during the World Championships, as he was able to keep up with NHL players and defend them with minimal complications.

Solberg isn’t just a defender either. He’s capable of jumping up into the play when the time calls for it and he has the skating ability to make plays with his feet as well, whether it’s breaking out of and exiting the defensive zone or closing the gap on an opposing player.

“Hopefully a year,” Solberg said when asked how long before he thinks he’ll make the transition to playing in North America. “I think everything has to get better. When you’re (playing at) a new level, everything has to get better.”

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