– One of my teammates decided to pee in the bathtub. Even with the fact that he received a penalty. My coach therefore decided that I had to step into his position, which was back. That’s what Solberg told news about the incident that made the attacking player even more a defensive player. Now he is one of the biggest talents in the world in the position. In June, Solberg, together with his best friend Michael Brandsegg-Nygård (18), became the first Norwegians to be selected in the first round of the NHL draft. HISTORIC: Stian Solberg (TV) and Michael Brandsegg-Nygård became historic during the NHL draft. Photo: Christian Solberg – Almost have to thank him who peed Solberg was 14 years old at a tournament in Sweden when his teammate decided to urinate in the bathtub in the hotel room. Former assistant coach in Vålerenga, Sven-Arild Olsen, was coach for Solberg when the incident took place. He chose to put Solberg in the back position in the next game. – I had a feeling that Solberg would fit well in that position, and we hit it off well, says Olsen to news. After trying out as a back, Solberg felt that he mastered the back position well, and wanted to get more playing time in that position. NHL-READY: Stian Solberg has been drafted to the North American league NHL by the club Anaheim Mighty Ducks. Photo: Steve Marcus / AP / NTB Whether he would have stayed in the attacking position if the pee incident had never happened is difficult for Solberg to answer. However, he is sure that the incident was an important factor in why it turned out that way. – I almost have to thank him who peed in the bathtub and the trainer for me staying back. Solberg also shared the story of the incident in the bathtub with American media during the Scouting Combine earlier this summer. It was well received, with several reactions on social media. – This is something new, writes Steven Ellis, who is a journalist for the American NHL newspaper Daily Faceoff on X. Journalists and scouts turn pink Around 5,000 fans turned up when Solberg was presented as an Anaheim Mighty Ducks player at the end of June. On July 6, he signed a contract with the club, which means that no other NHL team can pick him up in the next few years. – Stian Solberg with a somewhat formulaic defensive game, wrote journalist Patrick Present in The Hockey News on X, with an attached video clip from a training session. WARM IN THE SWEATER: Stian Solberg (on the right) already has the stingray to show off. Here from a baseball game with the Anaheim Angles. Photo: Christian Solberg Derek Neumeier is one of the chief scouts at talent agency McKeen’s Hockey, which finds and analyzes the biggest hockey talents in the world. He believes Solberg is already close to NHL level. – He works hard, has discipline, and has many habits that are important in the NHL, says Neumeier to news. Ellis from Daily Faceoff writes that Solberg is one of the most physical players from the 2024 draft, and believes that it was a victory for the Anaheim Mighty Ducks to select the Norwegian. Solberg signed for the Swedish ice hockey club Färjestad after reaching the final in the play-offs with Vålerenga in the 23/24 season. Neumeier believes the signing is a direct step up for Solberg before the North American level, he expects. – It seems that he is ready for the next challenge in Sweden. He will play against competition in the Swedish professional league for the next couple of seasons, and maybe we will see him in the NHL before the 25/26 season. “Zucca” continues The Norwegian NHL player in history, Mats Zuccarello, plays for the Minnesota Wild and has been at the highest level in ice hockey for well over ten years. He has kept a close eye on the two 18-year-olds, but at the same time is wary of what awaits them. – I try to say to the boys that it is one thing to be drafted and be in that circus, but another thing to get into the league after the draft. They have to show that they want more than just to be drafted. They have to think that they are going to play and become a star over there, says Zuccarello and adds: – I think the boys understand this, if not I will tell them. Now they will play in two good clubs in the Swedish hockey league (SHL), where there is a good training day and culture. They will benefit greatly from that. STAR: Mats Zuccarello at padel training in Oslo. He currently plays for the Minnesota Wild. The 36-year-old is listed with 835 games in the best ice hockey league in the world, the NHL. Photo: Terje Haugnes / news Zuccarello knows the Swedish elite series well. He played two seasons in the Swedish club Modo where he was named newcomer of the year in his debut season. In the following season, he became the most valuable player in the league before being signed by the big club New York Rangers in 2010. Although Brandsegg-Nygård and Solberg were drafted, they will probably play in Sweden for the whole coming season. There they will acquire more experience before possible NHL games. Published 26/07/2024, at 16.40 Updated 26.07.2024, at 17.01
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Will be shelved in the USA – thank you teammate who peed in the bathtub – news Sport – Sports news, results and broadcasting schedule
