By Russ Cohen
Only eight Norwegian players have ever played in the NHL. As we get closer to the 2024 NHL Draft, we are seeing two players who not only will be drafted but they will be impact NHLers.
Michael Brandsegg-Nygård and Stian Solberg are both poised to possibly be first round picks. Before them, the highest-drafted Norwegian hockey player was Marius Holtet who was a second-round pick for Dallas.
Both players are delightful to talk to. Solberg revealed in this video how he got the job as a defenseman. It turns out he played forward until 9th grade. He’s a multi-sport athlete who competed in gymnastics, skiing, and a few others.
Both players went to the WANG high school for sports in Oslo.
Solberg plays that physical hockey that coaches like. His shot gets through traffic and he can handle a lot of minutes.
Check out his Scouting Combine interview here:
Nygård is a smart, two-way player whose play along the wall is strong. He can really rip his wrist shot.
Both players had good showings in the recent World Championships and got to play with fellow countryman, Mats Zuccarello.
“I just tried to go out there and do my best,” said Nygård. “I tried to get as much info from Zuccarello as an example. He has been my idol since I was a little kid. Hopefully, me and Solberg can give motivation to kids back in our country.”
Both players would make any team happy. The Chicago Blackhawks have checked in on both from what I understand.
Could the Blackhawks take them both with the 18th and 34th picks? I think there’s a chance of that if one of them drops a bit. I’m going to be keeping an eye on that.
Once we all get to Vegas, these two players will be talked about a lot right up until they hear their names announced at The Sphere.
Here is a photo of Nygård at his prom.
photos courtesy of Anders Blegeberg, Head coach WANG Sports Academy Oslo.
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