Ivar Stenberg has become accustomed to having eyes on him. After making his SHL debut last fall, he has had his big breakthrough this fall – as a newly 18-year-old.
In the 25 games he has played so far, he has scored 24 points – the most of any player in league-leading Frölunda. In his last game before the JVM, Ivar Stenberg also set a record for 18-year-olds by scoring in his tenth consecutive SHL game.
"It's definitely been a big step. I had barely trained with the first team at this time last year," he says.
At the beginning it was a bit of a reality check, there are a lot of talented players here. But I feel like I grew into it quickly anyway.
The progress in the SHL has also made the Swede's prospects for the NHL draft next year better and better.
The Hockey News even had the Swedish forward number one in its latest ranking, ahead of top-picked Canadian Gavin McKenna, among others.
“A step towards the dream”
That would make Stenberg only the third Swede to be chosen as number one after Mats Sundin (1989) and Rasmus Dahlin (2018).
You get reminded of the draft every now and then and you know that someone is watching every game, says Ivar Stenberg.
But it's not something I focus on, it's something that belongs there.
How easy or difficult is it to disconnect it?
For me, it's been pretty easy. I have a lot of friends who got drafted and my brother (Otto Stenberg, who made his NHL debut for St. Louis the other night) got drafted. So I know what it's like.
Besides, I don't have to be at my best now either. The draft is just a step towards the dream of playing in the NHL.
"Pointy forwards"
This year's Junior World Cup will be played in Minnesota and will begin for Sweden against Slovakia on December 26.
Junior Crowns national team captain Magnus Hävelid was optimistic when he presented his squad. But it is still the USA and Canada – including Gavin McKenna – who will be the favourites, notes Ivar Stenberg.
"Yes, they look good, you have to say that. But we also have a good team," he says.
We have three good goalkeepers, good defenders and sharp forwards. So it's going to be really cool.
Jens Bornemann/TT
Facts: Sweden's JVM program
TT
December 26: Sweden-Slovakia (7:00 p.m. Swedish time).
December 28: Sweden-Switzerland (8:00 p.m.).
December 29: Germany-Sweden (7:00 p.m.).
January 1: USA-Sweden (00.00).
Quarterfinals will be played January 2–3, semifinals January 4–5, bronze medal match January 5 and final January 6.
