Because Chrona played for Skelleftea AIK in Sweden's top junior league last season, no one on Denver's current coaching staff had watched him stop a puck in person until the first day of practice this season. But coach David Carle and his staff like what they see.
Chrona is 6-0-0 with a .930 save percentage, a 1.83 goals-against average and two shutouts for the No. 1 ranked team in the country.
"He's had a couple of games where he's been really, really good. He's had a couple of moments where he's looked like a freshman, but overall we've been really happy with him,'' Carle said. "He has a good demeanor about him. What's exciting is it's his first year over in North America. The way he's adapting culturally, fitting in with classes and his teammates and all of that, is really impressive."
Adjusting to a smaller North American rink has not been a problem for the 19-year-old who was selected by the Tampa Bay Lightning in the fifth round (No. 152) of the 2018 NHL Draft.
"He's played four of six games on the small rink," Carle said. "We've talked about it. Things do happen, certainly, faster, but I think it's good for him. He has to be engaged all the time, which is kind of an area of his game that, if you wanted to get nitpicky, needs the most work."
Chrona is the second goalie from Sweden to play for Denver in as many seasons.
Filip Larsson
, who helped Denver reach the Frozen Four as a freshman last season, signed with the Detroit Red Wings on April 15. He let his coaches know in February that he was thinking about turning pro, and Denver then got a commitment from Chrona.