Minnesota Wild First-Rounder To Make North American Pro Debut

He was the 19th overall selection in the first round in the 2022 NHL entry draft by the Minnesota Wild, and now, less than two years later, Liam Öhgren has arrived from Sweden and is set to make his pro debut in North America. The top forward prospect will be finishing out the season with the Minnesota Wild's AHL affiliate in Iowa.

Hearing #mnwild first-round pick Liam Ohgren has arrived in North America and is heading to Iowa to play the rest of the season. This should also get him prepped for the world championships, I assume
— Michael Russo (@RussoHockey) April 1, 2024

Ohgren signed his entry-level contract shortly after the draft in the summer of 2022, but has remained in Sweden since then.

The 20-year-old missed two months early in Sweden's SHL season for his team Färjestad BK, due to injury. He was able to come back in late November and posted 12 goals and seven assists for 19 points in 26 games. He also sported a +12 rating.

Ohgren's first-round selection in 2022 was fueled by an explosive junior season that year with Djůrgardens’ U-20 club, when he found the net 33 times in 30 games, and recorded 58 points and a rousing +41 rating.

Ohgren made headlines back in January of this year when he called out Team USA players at the World Juniors for blowing kisses to the crowd in Gothenburg, Sweden after beating the home side in the Finals in a continuation of a hotly contested rivalry.

Liam Öhgren had some thoughts about Team USA blowing kisses to the crowd in Gothenburg at the #WorldJuniors. pic.twitter.com/xdbopiLNiQ
— TSN (@TSN_Sports) January 6, 2024