Despite success in four game sample size last year, Liam Ohgren doesn't feel he has proved himself as an NHLer yet.
Despite success in four game sample size last year, Liam Ohgren doesn't feel he has proved himself as an NHLer yet.
ST. PAUL - For Liam Ohgren making the NHL team to start the season isn't a guarantee, in his mind anyway. Despite the praise from teammates and coaches of how he handled the last four games of the NHL season last year and his success in those four games, Ohgren doesn't believe he will make the team to start.
That spot has to be earned in his eyes and a spot he has to show he can get after a good training camp.
“Not really," Ohgren said on if he feels he will make the team. "I feel like I gotta take a spot, show that I really can be a part of the Minnesota Wild. No, I don’t feel like I’m a part of the team really but I hope that will change.”
After his season ended in Färjestad BK Ohgren came to the AHL with the Iowa Wild and played in three games. He was later recalled by the Wild and played in four games. He recorded one goal and one assist in those four games.
"Liam came in and got a quality opportunity," Wild head coach John Hynes said at the end of the season. "Now, with that being said, you can’t force younger players onto your team if they’re not ready. Part of their development is when they’re ready to make an impact, when they’re ready to take someone’s job. Sometimes they get a couple different looks and then they’re ready to make an impact."
In just a few days of development camp Ohgren looks to be a step above the rest of the Wild's prospects. The 2022 first-round pick is taking on a bit of a leadership and veteran role at camp.
"Yeah a little bit. I've been here for a month now actually. I've been staying here for the summer and working out with some guys from the group. It's been fun," Ohgren said. "I mean yeah it's fun to be back at development camp and kind of have that leadership role."
Last year Marco Rossi stayed in Minnesota during the summer to train with the Wild's staff and work on getting better. It did wonders for his development. Rossi finished the following season by playing all 82 games, was a finalist for the Bill Masterton award, scored 21 goals, and finished sixth in Calder Trophy voting.
He finished one goal behind Connor Bedard, who won the calder, and became the second rookie in Wild franchise history to record a 20-goal season.
“He’s turned himself into the player we envisioned him to be,” Wild director of amateur scouting Judd Brackett said on Rossi. “He made it clear that he’s got top-six center ability, and when you’re an undersized guy that can always be questioned. We really stuck to it and felt that his detail, his off-puck play, his awareness were all things that were going to even at his size allow him to be an NHL center.”
Ohgren is following the same path Rossi took. He has stayed in Minnesota this off-season and has been training to get better.
"Yeah we discussed that after last season. They kind of wanted me to be here a little bit especially after my back injury last year," Ohgren said on why he is staying in Minnesota to train. "I think they did the same with Marco last year and he played all 82 games and played very good. They wanted to do the same with me and I'm happy to be here."
Does Ohgren think he will have similar results to Rossi?
"Yeah that would be a pretty good season for me. I'd love that."
Ohgren, 20, did admit that he felt he could've shown the Wild more in his four game sample size last year so he is hoping he can prove that to the staff come training camp.
“Yeah, I think so. Obviously, I was a little bit nervous and maybe didn’t play my full potential game. I think I have a little bit more in me and obviously I feel like I grow every year," Ohgren said. "I’m getting better all the time. I feel like I’m getting better this summer as well. Yeah, like I said, those four games really helped me to feel that I’m capable of playing in the NHL.”
There is no doubt players and staff believe in Ohgren and what type of player he can be at the NHL. It will just be a matter of when he proves that. But just take what the players said about him.
Wild captain Jared Spurgeon: "I think with Liam, he came later in the year but just to get that experience and play games, play against the teams that were going into the playoffs and fighting for playoff spots, and just get a lay of the land. Obviously, first time being over here is a huge adjustment, and obviously having Kirill here can help a lot, but just for them to get the experience will pay off a lot next year. All of them are very smart, very talented players that we look forward to having in the lineup next year.”
Matt Boldy: "I liked him a lot. Strong, powerful, skates well, can shoot. He won a lot of his battles too, which is huge. Just opens up so much more in the NHL if you can win those battles and keep pucks alive. Guys are so good it’s tough if that’s an issue."
Joel Eriksson Ek: "I think he played good. Coming over and being used to play on a big rink is a little bit different from here, play on a small rink, but I feel he really showed he’s fast, he can shoot the puck real well and just how strong he is as well. I think he played really good."
An NHL roster spot out of camp isn't a guarantee for Ohgren but he is excited for the opportunity and knows there still is some pressure on him to prove himself and produce.
“It’s pressure, for sure. I feel it but it’s a lot of fun," Ohgren said. "This is my childhood dream to be part of an NHL club and to have a chance to make an NHL team. It was a dream come true to play those games last season and score a goal, too. But I haven’t made the team yet so that’s my main focus right now, to make the team and that would be one of my biggest goals in my life.”
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