F Ivar Stenberg - Frölunda HC, U16 Region (2026 Draft)

[Gazewithin]

Nice play....planting the BU rumour by his agent (which is my theory) to put pressure on Frölunda

The best play would be if he did this and then leaves anyway.

 

[PocketNines]

A few days after it was announced Ivar to BU, his older brother Otto (25th pick in 2023) came over from Malmo to Springfield MA (AHL). I think the Stenbergs are realizing the path to the NHL is more NA than SHL right now

 

[Pavel Buchnevich]

I think it’ll be very hard for Stenberg to stay with Frolunda unless the family is convinced on the path they’re showing him.

Most fans here won’t consider it because they can separate the two, but they are brothers. I think you’d be stupid to think that Otto’s lack of positive development with Frolunda isn’t impacting Ivar’s decision making process.

 

[erikhamren]

Maybe offtopic but i have no problem with swedish talents leaving Sweden to cross the atlantic to play in US/Canada, they have a better development system and better facilities, and also skating are more prioritized there than here from what ive learnt, which you also can see in our youth games lol.

It can also send a message to the swedish hockey federation that we are clearly long way behind. But i guess money is still a problem here after covid.

 

[just a hockey fan]

Also got to remember the fact that the pro leagues in Europe aren't there to simply just develop players for another league over winning (and rightly so) and the coaches and GM's can get fired if they decide to give the young players everything they demand and prioritize developing them over winning games, thus losing games if the players aren't ready for that big role at that level. Of course the players with clear top potential deserve chances but they also need to take them and be willing to put the work in to prove that they are better than seasoned professionals (especially at the SHL level since they tend to be top players in all of Europe).

Understandable if the player would rather not fight for game time at the pro level and instead go play junior/college hockey to NA for more or less unlimited minutes, just like it's understandable that there simply isn't going to be endless trust and chances at the pro level if the results aren't there. I do wish that European players don't immediately give up and at least try to earn those minutes that they want/need.