Deep Dive: Nils Hoglander

The SHL Goal of the Year award has been around in an official capacity for six seasons. David Aslin won it for the first three years, sharing it with defenceman Lucas Carlsson for one, before taking his talents to other parts of Europe.

Andreas Wingerli took home the title in 2017-18, which was one of the few awards that Elias Pettersson did not win in the SHL that year.

Since then, Canucks prospect Nils Hoglander has secured the title for both of the past two seasons. The diminutive forward executed the lacrosse goal to perfection in each year, that there wasn't really any other choice in both seasons except to name him the victor.

The confidence and skill that he has shown on those goals, and countless other plays, are what makes him such an intriguing player for the organization going forward. Despite being listed as 5'9" and 190 lbs, Hoglander does not play the part of a smaller forward, he gets into the battle, mixes it up, and plays with a bit of an edge.

He then uses his high-end puck control and awareness to create offence in a variety of ways. His ability to make plays in tiny areas is one of his best qualities and what makes him so dangerous with the puck.

Playing in a middle six role for Rogle this season, Hoglander set new SHL career highs in goals (9) and points (16) and matched his assist total from last season despite the season being shortened due to COVID-19 and a five game suspension, which was a result of that edge.

He ended the SHL year with the fourth most points among U20 skaters and his 0.39 points per game in the year after his draft rate well against historical comparables.

In the middle of the season, Hoglander donned the Swedish jersey at the World Juniors, it was his first time representing his country at the event. He had played for Sweden at the various U17 and U18 events throughout his development, but this event was the first time that he stood out as an offensive catalyst for Tre Kroner.

He ended with the third most points in the tournament and helped lead Sweden to a bronze medal.

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For many Canucks fans, it was the first time that they were able to see their prospect in competition since he was selected in the second round at the 2019 NHL Entry Draft. It was the blending of his work ethic, puck skills and tenacity, that allowed him to stand out on every shift at the tournament. He even threw in another lacrosse goal to add an exclamation point to his performance.

Like many young players in the SHL, he did not put up huge numbers this past season but when given a chance to be a leader, like he was at WJHC, Hoglander was able to control play. There were flashes of it throughout the SHL season, but the tournament allowed him to be front and centre.

That was the year that was for the prospect, so what can we expect from him next season?

With a newly signed entry-level-contract (when the season gets going here in North America), Hoglander will get a chance to make an impression on the coaching staff and management for the first time since 2019 development camp. Hoglander was a standout among the participants there, but he will look to build on that and try to push for a spot with the big club in the 2020-21 season.

If he is not able to land a spot on the big club to start the season, he could head down to the Utica Comets and give an instant boost to their offense. It may take him a little bit to get comfortable to the smaller rinks and more physical play styles but that will not be a problem for long.

He has shown over the last two seasons that despite his smaller size, he can push back when opponents try to overwhelm him with physical play. But more importantly, when he is given the time and space to make plays, he makes them count.

Canucks fans got a glimpse of that at the World Juniors and they hope he will bring that to Vancouver in the future.