- The San Jose Sharks selected Swedish winger Ivar Stenberg with the second overall pick in the 2026 NHL Draft
- Stenberg posted 33 points in 43 SHL games with Frölunda HC, one of the best seasons by an 18-year-old in league history
- Read below for what Stenberg brings to a Sharks roster already building around Macklin Celebrini
The San Jose Sharks locked in on their guy. With the second overall pick in the 2026 NHL Draft, San Jose selected Swedish winger Ivar Stenberg out of Frölunda HC of the SHL.
Laila Edwards of PWHL San Jose stepped to the podium at KeyBank Center in Buffalo and made the announcement official:
Stenberg turned heads all season in the SHL. His 33-point campaign (11 goals, 22 assists) ranks as the fifth-best total by an 18-year-old in Swedish Hockey League history, putting him ahead of former Sharks forward William Eklund, Leo Carlsson, and Nicklas Backstrom. Only Henrik and Daniel Sedin posted bigger numbers at that age.
The 18-year-old left winger brings elite skill at NHL speed, a deceptive release, and hockey IQ that had scouts grading him neck and neck with first overall pick Gavin McKenna throughout the season. Where Stenberg separated himself was on the defensive side. His ability to disrupt passing lanes and force turnovers made him one of the most complete prospects in the class.
Size is the one question mark. NHL Central Scouting listed him at 5-foot-11 and 183 pounds at the pre-draft combine. Stenberg is not a physical player and avoided contact in the SHL at times. San Jose clearly believes the rest of his toolkit outweighs that concern.
GM Mike Grier had floated the possibility of trading this pick in the weeks leading up to the draft but ultimately stayed put. Stenberg now slots into a forward group already anchored by Macklin Celebrini, who finished his second NHL season with 71 points.
Stenberg also added four assists in six SHL playoff games and registered 10 points in seven contests during Sweden’s gold medal run at the World Junior Championships earlier this year. Multiple scouts believe he could push for an NHL roster spot as early as next season.
San Jose has been stockpiling talent through a painful rebuild. Adding Stenberg to a core that includes Celebrini and Will Smith gives the Sharks three top-five picks in the last three drafts. The Swedish winger could be the piece that pushes this group from rebuilding to competing.
