That Frondell would go early was expected – but he joins an exclusive group, only seven Swedes have been chosen as top three before.
I'm still in shock. It was like a blackout when I heard my name. I have a new favorite team in NHL and I'm very happy to be here, he says at a press conference after the draft.
Whether he plays in NHL already next season remains to be seen. But Frondell has the goal clear.
My goal is to play in NHL. It's my dream, that's why I do this every day. If I get a chance to take a spot on the team I'll do everything to take it, he says.
The pre-tip went first
The two 18-year-olds Anton Frondell and Victor Eklund play together in Djurgården. There they made 11 and 19 goals respectively in Hockeyallsvenskan during the past season.
Eklund's older brother William is already established in NHL, after four seasons in San Jose.
The pre-tipped Canadian defender Matthew Schaefer, 17, went as expected as number one – to New York Islanders.
Michael Misa, 18-year-old forward from Canada, was chosen as number two by San Jose.
Sascha Boumedienne – son of former NHL player Josef Boumedienne, now general manager in Tre Kronor – went to Winnipeg as number 28. The 18-year-old defender plays college hockey in Boston University.
Draft in new guise
Other Swedes who have previously been chosen among the top three are Sweden's two only first picks, Mats Sundin (1989) and Rasmus Dahlin (2018), as well as, among others, the brothers Daniel and Henrik Sedin.
The draft took place in Peacock Theatre in Los Angeles in a somewhat new guise. The 32 teams are represented via link from their home towns, while 93 selected talents were on site.
The draft's second to seventh round will take place starting on Saturday evening.
Joakim Magnå/TT
Facts: Top picks in the first round
TT
1. New York Islanders: Matthew Schaefer, defender, Canada
2. San Jose: Michael Misa, center, Canada
3. Chicago: Anton Frondell, c, Sweden
4. Utah: Caleb Desnoyers, c, Canada
5. Nashville: Brady Martin, c, Canada
6. Philadelphia: Porter Martone, forward, Canada
7. Boston: James Hagens, c, USA
8. Seattle: Jake O'Brien, c, USA
9. Buffalo: Radim Mrtka, defender, Czech Republic
10. Anaheim: Roger McQueen, c, Canada
Other Swedes:
16. New York Islanders: Victor Eklund, f
28. Winnipeg: Sascha Boumedienne, defender
