Springfield Thunderbirds followers are on the point of welcome one other key prospect for the St. Louis Blues after the membership introduced that Otto Stenberg is on the best way. The twenty fifth general choose from the 2023 NHL Draft is being transferred and loaned to Springfield after spending the primary half of this season with Malmö within the Swedish Hockey League.
Stenberg simply wrapped up his second journey to the World Junior Championship with Sweden, the place he had eight factors in seven video games. Over the past two tournaments, Stenberg posted 17 factors in 14 video games.
“After discussions with Otto and his representatives, we agreed it’s best for him to start his professional profession in North America now,” stated Blues basic supervisor Doug Armstrong in an announcement. “We’re trying ahead to his continued growth alongside a lot of our different prospects in Springfield.”
Stenberg will be a part of Dalibor Dvorsky, who was chosen 15 picks forward of him in the identical draft, in Springfield, placing two of the Blues’ most crucial prospects underneath one roof.
Having made his SHL debut at 17, Stenberg has appeared in 75 video games in Sweden’s prime professional league over the past three seasons. He has collected 15 factors over that span. In 25 video games with Malmö this season, he had six factors.
Stenberg got here up by way of one in all Sweden’s most well-known and profitable golf equipment, Frölunda. He was loaned out this season in hopes of enjoying a much bigger position in a membership that wanted extra assist. In the long run, Stenberg nonetheless hadn’t fairly discovered his scoring contact as knowledgeable whereas enjoying middle-six minutes with the Redhawks.
The 19-year-old had not returned to motion within the SHL after ending up on the World Juniors the place Sweden completed a disappointing fourth within the event. He tied for third on the crew in scoring on the occasion.
It’s unclear when Stenberg will make his AHL debut, however that is one other thrilling addition to a crew that already options Dvorsky, who was simply named to the AHL All-Star Basic.
2025 Windfall Bruins vs Springfield Thunderbirds
Coming to North America now will permit the Blues to have a bit extra say in Stenberg’s growth. He’ll probably get extra ice time and be put in conditions to succeed and put himself heading in the right direction to make the Blues. There isn’t any doubt he has the expertise and the fashion of recreation that may make him an efficient NHLer and getting reps within the AHL over the rest of this yr and sure a very good chunk of subsequent yr can solely assist.
There’ll in all probability be an adjustment interval as time and area will probably be more durable to come back by within the AHL. Stenberg is 6-foot and underneath 190 kilos. The physicality and the tempo of the AHL will certainly present some challenges early on. However by enjoying the second half of this season and getting a trial by fireplace can solely assist recalibrate Stenberg’s expectations and what he’ll must do to make it to the NHL.
He is an thrilling participant with a vivid future. After seeing him play properly at one other World Juniors, it is no marvel the Blues need to get him into their combine ahead of later.
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