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New York Rangers: The European connections

By Rachel Nones

VANCOUVER, BRITISH COLUMBIA - JUNE 21: Kaapp Kakko reacts after being selected second overall by the New York Rangers during the first round of the 2019 NHL Draft at Rogers Arena on June 21, 2019 in Vancouver, Canada. (Photo by Rich Lam/Getty Images)
VANCOUVER, BRITISH COLUMBIA - JUNE 21: Kaapp Kakko reacts after being selected second overall by the New York Rangers during the first round of the 2019 NHL Draft at Rogers Arena on June 21, 2019 in Vancouver, Canada. (Photo by Rich Lam/Getty Images) /
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Nils Lundkvist #9 of Sweden /

The Swedes

The first-ever European to play in the NHL was Swedish-born Ulf Sterner who played four games in the 1964-65 season. Coincidentally, he was a Ranger. Fast forward to today and some of the best players after Sterner’s arrival are European as well.

Of course, former Ranger goaltender of 15 years, Henrik Lundqvist is proof that Swedes deserve recognition as some of the league’s best.

These days, Mika Zibanejad is most likely the first Swedish current Ranger who comes to mind. Zibanejad, who is up for captaincy contention this season, would make a great mentor to many of the younger players. He even made a point of brushing up on his Finnish vocabulary to better communicate with then 18-year-old Kaapo Kakko during his first season.

A number of prospects play in the same professional league against each other’s teams in the Swedish Hockey League, which is the highest division in the country.

Nils Lundkvist of the Luleå HF club is a 20-year-old defenseman.  Karl Henriksson, a 19-year-old forward currently plays for Frölunda where he is a teammate of Henrik Lundqvist’s twin brother, Joel.  20-year-old forward Adam Edström is a member of the Rögle BK team. The last of this group is 21-year-old defender Calle Själin who plays for Leksand IF.

Olof Lindblom, a 20-year-old goaltender drafted by the Rangers, has seen a few teams in Sweden but like many of the aforementioned, has represented the country at various International Junior levels. He is currently playing for Mora IK in the second tier Allsvenskan League.  Defense prospect Jakob Ragnarsson is also in Allsvenskan, playing for  Timrå.

The Rangers also drafted two more Swedes at the NHL Entry Draft this year.  Both center Oliver Tärnström (3rd round) and goalie Hugo Ollas (7th round) are playing regularly in the Swedish juior leagues.

The group of Swedes also seems to be starting their season off on the right foot which should be very encouraging for the Rangers front office. Although the players are young and have time to develop overseas there is much uncertainty when these players could be recalled.

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