During the night, four Swedish players were drafted into the first round of the NHL Draft.
Three of them were from Djurgårdsspelare and are part of the Stockholm club this fall.
– For their own good and for us, I really hope that this year they will also take up Swedish hockey, they need them, says Djurgården’s Director of Sports KG Stoppel.
Jonathan Licremaki, Noah Ostlund and William O’Gren are drafted into the first round of tonight’s NHL Draft.
They are all part of Djurgården’s pre-season build-up.
– It’s great fun for men. I am happy for them. I have no doubt that they will achieve success and become good players in the future, says Djurgården Sports Director KG Stoppel who himself sat down and followed the draft of the night.
“You should never say”
Lekkerimäki was coined by Vancouver, Ostlund by Buffalo and Öhgren by Minnesota.
Each club now has rights over the players and must decide where it will play in the future. KG Stoppel prefers the trio to stay in Sweden.
– Now I haven’t spoken to any of the clubs yet but they are still young and have a journey to do. For their own good and for us, I really hope they take this year in Swedish hockey, they need it.
But he’s not entirely sure the players will play at Djurgården this fall.
– You should never say never. Now there is another player coming on their developmental journey but I hope and believe. If you listen to what Vancouver General Manager Patrick Alvin has to say, he said he’s in no hurry.
Jonathan comes from a season in which he has been ill for long periods and has glandular fever. He really needs time to build himself up by training and playing matches. Then I would say that Sweden and Djurgården are the best alternatives.
Now the draft continues and then Callie Odelius is expected to be chosen. He is also part of Djurgarden’s squad for this season.
– We thought Callie Odelius would be chosen, the question was will he go in the first or second round. Now he didn’t go at first. There were a lot of surprises and changes in the situation. We expect him to leave early in the day.