Top 2025 prospect makes surprising decision on where he'll play his draft year
Photo credit: Almtuna IS/HockeyAllvenskan
A top 2025 prospect has made a surprising decision on where he'll play in his draft year.
The NHL's 2024 draft was only completed last month, but scouts from all 32 teams already have their eyes on next year's crop of talent and will get a firsthand look at some of those prospects at the upcoming Hlinka-Gretzky Cup in August in Edmonton.
One player that is expected to represent his nation at the Hlinka-Gretzky Cup next month is Filip Ekberg of Sweden, who could potentially be a top-ten pick at the 2025 NHL Entry Draft.
In March 2023, Ekberg became well-known in the hockey world after becoming the youngest goal scorer in HockeyAllsvenskan history at 15 years, 328 days. Not only did he become the youngest goal scorer in that game, he went on to record a hat trick for his club, Almtuna IS.
Expectations heading into his draft year are pretty high as he looks to cement his place as a top-ten prospect, but it appears he won't be stepping on the ice in Sweden this coming season.
According to reports out of Sweden, Ekberg has decided to leave Almtuna IS in HockeyAllsvenskan and coming over to North America to play for the Ottawa 67s of the Ontario Hockey League, who selected him in the 2024 CHL Import Draft.
Note: the quotes in this story are translated from Swedish.
"This is what Filip Ekberg writes in a post on Instagram, after he was selected earlier in July as one of seven Swedes by the OHL team Ottawa 67's in the CHL's import draft. Even The Athletics' Scott Wheeler has previously reported that Ekberg may be interested in moving to North America already now." Simon Eld of Hockey Sverige said.
The 17-year-old made a post on his social media recently, confirming that he will be leaving Almtuna IS and thanked them for four fantastic seasons in their organization.
"Everything has an end. I would like to extend a warm thank you to everyone who made this time fantastic. Memories and friends for life that I will never forget. Thank you Almtuna and Uppsala for these four years" Ekberg said.
Ekberg, a native of Uppsala, Sweden, appeared in 19 games for Almtuna IS last season where he registered two assists, two penalty minutes and was a minus-four. He also skated in 33 games for Almtuna IS' junior team, putting up 29 points (12 goals, 17 assists), 24 penalty minutes and was a plus-three.
If this becomes official by the Ottawa 67s, this will be a massive addition to their roster and someone who could potentially be an 80-100 point player for them during the 2024-25 season. Playing in the OHL, with more eyes on him on a nightly basis, could also see his draft stock rise, if he's performing well.
Source: Hockey Sverige
Filip Ekberg's message: Leaving Almtuna
Filip Ekberg's message: Leaving Almtuna
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JUILLET 28 | 143 ANSWERS Top 2025 prospect makes surprising decision on where he'll play his draft year Who do you think will be selected first overall in next year's draft? | ||
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| Michael Misa | 44 | 30.8 % |
| Porter Martone | 26 | 18.2 % |
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