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The San Jose Sharks drafted forward Ivar Stenberg with the second overall pick in the 2026 NHL Draft on Friday.
Stenberg was ranked the No. 1 international skater by NHL Central Scouting. He tallied 11 goals and 33 points in 43 games this season with Frolunda in the top Swedish league.
His 0.77 points per game make for the second-highest scoring rate by a draft-eligible player ever in the league, behind only Daniel Sedin.
Stenberg starred for Sweden at the world juniors in January, racking up four goals and 10 points in seven games to help his nation break a 14-year gold-medal drought. He finished the campaign by notching four goals and eight points at the World Championship.
The 5-foot-11, 183-pound winger has been lauded for his compete level and skill.
"His blend of speed, first-step quickness, and balance makes him a dangerous, dynamic skater who can both create and finish plays," NHL director of European scouting Jukka-Pekka Vuorinen said. "Offensively, he displays elite hockey IQ and patience with the puck, often distributing with precision on the power play and in tight spaces. His vision and timing enable him to open up lanes and create high-quality scoring chances."
Stenberg's older brother, Otto, made his NHL debut with the St. Louis Blues this season.
