‘I start laughing’: Sweden’s Ivar Stenberg not focused on going No. 1 at NHL draft

MINNEAPOLIS – Ivar Stenberg can only crack a smile when the thought crosses his mind. 

The Swedish winger has forced himself into the conversation as the potential No. 1 pick at the 2026 NHL draft with an impressive showing in the professional ranks back home. 

That top spot was assumed to belong to Gavin McKenna some 12 months ago. Now there’s at least a chance the team stepping to the microphone first in June will call Stenberg’s name instead of the Canadian teenager. 

“You want to go as high you can, but No. 1 has been nothing I think about,” Stenberg said at the world junior hockey championship. “I start laughing when I think about going No. 1.” 

The 18-year-old leads Frolunda, which sits atop Sweden’s top division, with 24 points (six goals, 18 assists) in 25 games this season. Stenberg also has a goal and an assist for his country as part of victories over Slovakia and Switzerland at the men’s under-20 tournament.

“A pretty silky player,” Swedish defenceman and Winnipeg Jets prospect Sascha Boumedienne said after his team’s opener in St. Paul, Minn. “He knows exactly what to do in every area of the game. He’s so smart, so skilled, such a good skater. 

“We love to have him on the team … he does what he does.”

Small in stature at five foot eight and 154 pounds, Stenberg is able to manipulate the game with patience and awareness.

“Wants to learn all the time,” Swedish head coach Magnus Havelid said. “A very humble guy.”

Anton Frondell, who went No. 3 to the Chicago Blackhawks at the 2025 draft, said his world junior roommate isn’t showing signs of stress despite knowing that scouts are dissecting each of his shifts at the showcase event.

“He’s relaxed,” said Frondell, currently a forward for Djurgardens in the SHL. “He doesn’t think about that, he doesn’t talk about it. I think he’s handling well.

“Other guys would maybe start thinking, ‘Oh, I need to score this game.’ He’s just out there playing.”

Stenberg might not show it outwardly, but he’s feeling a bit of pressure at a tournament that has already seen McKenna collect four points in two games.

“A little bit,” said Stenberg, who sits top-20 in SHL scoring. “I want to show the (NHL) that I’m a good player and someone they will take.” 

Boumedienne, in his second season at Boston University in the NCAA, said Stenberg feeling any type of heat would be news to him.

“Handling it like a superstar,” he said with a smile. “Knows exactly what to do. He just goes out and does it.”

Stenberg’s older brother, Otto, is a first-round pick of the St. Louis Blues and made his NHL debut on Dec. 17. His sibling’s experience and chatting with Frondell has been a boost in what can be a stressful draft year.

“Helped me a lot,” Stenberg said. “(They) know what I’m going through.” 

Havelid said the buzz reminds him of when future Hockey Hall of Fame centre Peter Forsberg first turned pro.

“It’s very unique,” Havelid said. “For us in Swedish hockey, it’s fantastic. It’s a good picture for the younger kids.” 

Stenberg, who said playing against men has helped him learn to better protect the puck against bigger opponents, credited the setup at Frolunda for putting him in a position to succeed.

“Got a lot of help from the older players and the coaching staff,” he said. “They push me every day and really take me under their wings.”

Stenberg, however, is getting attention for the player he is — and could potentially become — all on his own.

“Work every day and do my best every day,” he said. “I will see where that takes me.” 

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Dec. 28, 2025.