A somewhat undersized, right-handed, puck-moving defenceman who skates like the wind, shoots rockets and produces offence with ease? We’re talking about Adam Boqvist, who’s expected to be a top 10 selection in this year’s NHL Draft.
We can understand if NHL superstar Erik Karlsson comes to mind. He certainly did when Boqvist torched the 2017 Ivan Hlinka Memorial Tournament with eight points in five games, establishing himself as a top prospect on the world stage. And that comparison hardly faded as Boqvist put up a 14-goal, 24-point performance in 25 games with the Brynas junior squad in Sweden this season.
“Offensively, Boqvist is electric; he has the toolbox of a top-line forward,” says Curtis Joe of Eliteprospects.com. “Slick puck-handling ability paired with excellent vision and positional awareness makes him a dangerous threat every time he is on the ice.”
We can think of about 31 NHL teams that would find those qualities appealing.
Here’s the skinny on Adam Boqvist.
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Team: Brynas IF
Position: Defence
Shoots: Right
Age: 17
From: Falun, Sweden
Height: 5-foot-11
Weight: 170 pounds
CAN HE PLAY D?
It’s the question that will persist with this player even after his name is called.
We know Boqvist has all the ability in the world to excel when the play is moving up ice and when the puck is on his stick.
“He’s a smooth-skating puck mover who plays with flair and grace while owning one of the hardest shots of any draft-eligible defenceman,” says Steve Kournianos of Thedraftanalyst.com. “Boqvist is an attack-first option who loves to use his speed and agility to dart and weave around opposing zone schemes. He can quarterback a power play with the best of them, and he’s not shy towards unloading his howitzer with or without shooting lanes being clogged. His puck skills — especially stick-handling — and play within the offensive zone are extraordinary, and he appears to have a firm grasp on how critical his job is as his team’s centre of gravity.”
But perhaps one of the reasons why defencemen Noah Dobson, Quinn Hughes and Evan Bouchard are currently projected to go higher in this year’s draft is that they have better reputations in their own end.
Not that teams should be shying away from Boqvist. Most would put a premium on his influence in controlling possession, knowing that’ll mitigate whatever flaws there are in his defensive game. And they’ll consider that as his body fills out over time—and as he benefits from pro coaching—he’ll find his way in the D-zone.
HOCKEY BLOODLINES
Adam’s not the only Boqvist who appears to have an NHL future.
Brother Jesper, a 6-foot, 180-pound centre, was an early second-round pick by the New Jersey Devils at last year’s draft.
Father Patric surely played a hand in both Adam’s and Jesper’s success, serving as a coach in Sweden over the past nine seasons.
INTERNATIONAL STUD
Boqvist’s most recent showing at the World Junior Under-18 Tournament was as, if not more, successful as his breakout at the Ivan Hlinka Tournament.
He was named the tournament’s best defenceman after leading all blueliners with three goals and six points, even though Sweden finished with a bronze medal.
“He has a toolbox a lot of guys don’t have,” Tommy Sjödin, Boqvist’s Swedish Hockey League coach, told the Toronto Sun.
MAINTAINING RANK
NHL Central Scouting’s Dan Marr ranked Boqvist second among the top European skaters and behind only Rasmus Dahlin in both the mid-term and final rankings.
Clearly Marr sees what the people over at Futureconsiderations.ca do.
“He provides his team with a steady presence on the blue line, and thinks the game at a high level,” they say. “A potential top-four, two-way defenceman.”
MODELS HIMSELF AFTER KARLSSON
And we’re not talking about Las Vegas’ stud ‘Wild Bill’ or San Jose’s Melker.
Erik Karlsson is Boqvist’s favourite player and the Ottawa Senators are his favourite team.
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