NRK.no posted an article which discusses Anaheim Ducks prospect Stian Solberg, who was drafted in the first round of last month’s NHL Draft alongside fellow Norwegian Michael Brandsegg-Nygard.
Solberg and Brandsegg-Nygard are best friends who idolize Mats Zuccarello of Minnesota…and Zuccarello has some words of caution for both players:
The best Norwegian NHL player in history, Mats Zuccarello, plays for the Minnesota Wild, and he’s been playing at the highest level in ice hockey for over ten years. He has kept a close eye on the two 18-year-olds, and at the same time, he’s wary of what awaits them.
“I try to tell the boys that it’s one thing to be drafted and be in that circus, and it’s another thing to get into the league after the draft. They have to show that they want to do more than just being drafted. They have to think that they’re going to play, and become a star over there,” says Zuccarello, who adds:
“I think the boys understand this, and if not, I’ll tell them. Now they’ll play for two good teams in the Swedish Hockey League (SHL), where there are good training days and culture. They will benefit greatly from that.”
Zuccarello knows the Swedish Eliteserien well. He played for two seasons with the Swedish team Modo, where he was named rookie of the year during his debut season.
In the following season, he became the most valuable player in the league, before being signed by the big team New York Rangers in 2010.
Even if Brandsegg-Nygard and Solberg have been drafted, they will probably play in Sweden for the entire upcoming season. There, they will acquire more experience before possible NHL games.
