With the second overall pick in the 2026 NHL Draft, the San Jose Sharks have selected Ivar Stenberg from the SHL’s Frolunda HC. Starting 2026 with a World Juniors Championship gold medal and continuing on to have an impressive season, the 18-year-old Swedish superstar is ready to show the world what he’s made of and make the club’s top-six a force to be reckoned with.
Stenberg had one of the best seasons by a draft eligible player in SHL history, behind only the Sedin Twins, with 33 points (11G, 22A) in 43 games played and now holds the record for longest point streak by a player under 19 (10 games). Representing team Sweden in the World Championship, he recorded 8 points (4G, 4A), an appearance comparable to Sidney Crosby who had 10 points (1G, 9A) in 10 games.
A dynamic and versatile forward who can play both sides of the wing, Stenberg is an expert at moving the puck and creating opportunities. The possibility of him playing on the wing of Macklin Celebrini is not only exciting to Stenberg himself, who has described such a possibility as a “dream”, but also to Sharks fans. A top-six with Celebrini and Stenberg would be dominant, and certainly nerve wracking to match up against. Head Coach, Ryan Warsofsky, has long said the club needs players to help give Celebrini the support he needs, and it seems Stenberg is the answer to preventing possible burnout in the young Canadian star and spreading the wealth of talent across the roster.
Using second overall on Stenberg has not only given the extra boost the team needs in terms of offensive support, but also has begun the start of a future of San Jose dominance.
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