Credit: TheScoutingNews.com
Liam Ohgren is a 2022 NHL draft-eligible prospect from Stockholm, Sweden who is an offensive difference-maker. The young Swede spent last season primarily playing with the Djurgårdens IF J20 club, tallying 33 goals and 25 assists in 30 games. In the postseason, he added two goals and six points in six games.
Ohgren’s 58 points during the regular season paced all J20 skaters, including three points better than Boston Bruins’ 2021 fifth-round pick Oskar Jellvik and 16 points better than fellow 2022 draft-eligible prospect Noah Ostlund. Ohgren was elevated for 25 games in SHL play, tallying a goal and two points playing against grown men.
At the U18 World Junior Championships, he captained Team Sweden, scoring three goals and nine points in a six-game sample size.
Next year, Ohgren is expected to play in the Allsvenskan before potentially making the jump to the NHL.
Vitals
- D.O.B – January 28, 2004
- Age – 18
- Place of Birth – Stockholm, Sweden
- Draft Eligibility – 2022
- Height – 6-foot-1
- Weight – 201 lbs
- Position – Left Wing
- Shoots – Left
Production
Rankings
- Ranked #19 by CONSOLIDATED RANKING
- Ranked #13 by ELITEPROSPECTS.COM
- Ranked #30 by FCHOCKEY
- Ranked #23 by TSN/BOB McKENZIE
- Ranked #21 by MCKEEN’S HOCKEY
- Ranked #20 by TSN/CRAIG BUTTON
- Ranked #8 by NHL CENTRAL SCOUTING (EU Skaters)
- Ranked #23 by SPORTSNET
- Ranked #25 by ISS HOCKEY
- Ranked #18 by RECRUIT SCOUTING
- Ranked #17 by DOBBERPROSPECTS
- Ranked #16 by DRAFT PROSPECTS HOCKEY
- Ranked #19 by SMAHT SCOUTING
- Ranked #41 by THE PUCK AUTHORITY
Corey Pronman’s Analysis
Calling Ohgren a goal scorer isn’t a novel observation given his stats this season but he’s shown he can score goals in a variety of ways. He has great hands and can create offense through his skill. He generates a lot of offense around the high-percentage areas because of his strength and compete. Ohgren also has a shot that can score from range. He’s smart enough with the puck to move it well but is more of a shooter and worker than a playmaker. His skating is OK. I’ve heard from scouts who like it but I’ve never seen a player who can separate with speed. He projects as a top-nine winger.
Scott Wheeler’s Analysis
Öhgren put together one of the most productive age-adjusted seasons in the history of Sweden’s top junior level and two strong performances internationally for Sweden (first at last year’s Hlinka Gretzky Cup, and then more recently at U18 worlds, where he was also the team’s captain) in his draft year. He’s a bigger, stronger player than his two contemporaries in Djurgården and while he doesn’t have Lekkerimäki’s dynamism or Östlund’s breeziness, that doesn’t make him any less interesting as the shot-and-pass, power-and-finesse combination player that he is. I love the way he shades into and away from pressure in control. His shot comes off his blade quick, hard and naturally, rocking it back into his stance and letting it go (it really pops). His offensive arsenal is multi-faceted and he’s got some really sneaky craftiness and evasiveness to his game to complement the tools of strength over the puck/through his shot that are obvious. He’ll need to pick up a step to translate his game to the pro level, but I wouldn’t call his skating an impediment (it’s better than he usually get credit for) and he’s always finding ways to get to pucks and/or get open around the home plate area inside the offensive zone, where his skill and shot take over.
The Hockey Writer’s Analysis
Liam Öhgren can do it all. He’s a terrific skater, utilizing a powerful stride and excellent edge work to change direction on a dime and get into position where ever he’s needed. He’s not the fastest, but he can release a quick burst of speed and then keep pace with players much older and stronger than him, as he demonstrated in 25 games this season in the Swedish Hockey League (SHL) with Djurgårdens IF. His shot is top-notch, too, and he can release a deadly wrist shot from the hash marks, although he tends towards more of a playmaker, quickly firing a puck to a teammate and seeing plays develop two or three steps ahead.
Last Word on Hockey’s Analysis
Ohgren’s game is well-rounded and he does well in most areas. His shot, passing ability, skating, size, and defensive game will all help him to make the next level. The question is how high his ceiling is. If he develops correctly, he could become a top-six winger. However, he doesn’t seem to truly excel in any one area and that may prevent him from being a franchise level winger. Ohgren needs some time though. He will likely spend another year or two in Sweden, adding muscle to his frame, and continuing to sharpen his game before coming to North America. His game is reminscent of Jesper Bratt. However this is a stylistic comparison only and not one based on skill and ability.