The Ducks are bringing over 2024 first-rounder Stian Solberg from Europe to finish the season stateside, per an announcement from his Swedish Hockey League club, Färjestad BK.
Solberg, a 19-year-old Norwegian defenseman, put pen to paper on his entry-level contract days after he was drafted last summer. He’s expected to report to AHL San Diego for the stretch run – a move the Ducks can only do without Färjestad’s permission since they selected him in the first round.
The 6’2″, 205-lb lefty spent last season playing in the top league in his native Norway, posting 5-10–15 with a plus-two rating in 42 games with Vålerenga. A strong showing at the men’s World Championship against top-flight professional talent rocketed him up draft boards, making him, along with countryman Michael Brandsegg-Nygård, the first Norwegians to be selected in the first round of the NHL draft.
At the beginning of the season, Anaheim loaned Solberg to Färjestad to continue his development in a more familiar Scandinavian setting, although against much stronger competition than he faced in the Norwegian league. The defensive specialist and extremely physically engaged defender has taken the assignment in stride, posting 3-9–12 and a plus-one rating in 47 games for Färjestad. He also posted a pair of assists in three games for Norway at last year’s Olympic qualifiers.
Färjestad’s regular season is over, but they’re set to begin their playoff run in a few days. A reassignment before a player’s European season is over is exceedingly rare, but Färjestad says the Ducks are bringing him over amid a rash of injuries to their defensive complement in San Diego. The Gulls currently have seven defensemen on their roster, but only four are under contract with the Ducks.
His strong adjustment to high-level European pro hockey, plus his NHL-ready frame, should make him a long-shot candidate to crack the Ducks’ opening night roster next season. Solberg’s audition in San Diego over the next few weeks will likely go a long way toward informing Anaheim’s development plan for him.