New York Rangers’ prospect Nils Lundkvist continues to dominate the Swedish Hockey League as a U21 defenseman. He leads the league in goals from his position and now has the most points in SHL regular-season history by a U21 defenseman. Ottawa Senators’ prospect Egor Sokolov has gotten over a slow start to his American Hockey League career and has points in each of his last five games. 2021 NHL Entry Draft prospect Ayrton Martino extended his point streak to seven games in the United States Hockey League with the Omaha Lancers.
Lundkvist Keeps Scoring In SHL
Rangers’ prospect Lundkvist is putting together another impressive season in the Swedish Hockey League. The defenseman has 13 goals and 15 assists for 28 points in 47 games played. He currently leads all SHL defensemen in goal scoring (13), power play goals (7), and he sits second in total shots on goal with 138. His 28 points rank ninth among SHL defensemen. According to Quant Hockey, Lundkvist is now the all-time goals (29) & points leader (74) for U21 defensemen in SHL regular-season history. He surpasses David Runblad, who had 12 goals and 61 assists for 73 points in 153 games played.
Drafted 28th overall in the 2018 NHL Entry Draft, he spent the 2019-20 season in the SHL with Luleå HF, amassing 11 goals and 20 assists for 31 points in 45 games played. His 11 goals were sixth-best among SHL defensemen during that season, and he ranked seventh in total points. It’s two very impressive seasons for the Swedish defenseman. considering he’s still only 20 years old. The Rangers have a number of top prospects, and Lundkvist is one of their best.
Sokolov Heats Up For Belleville
Senators’ prospect Egor Sokolov got off to a slow start to his professional career, failing to register a point in his first three games played with the Belleville Senators. However, he’s started to heat up lately with at least one point in each of his last five games, totaling three goals and two assists. The confidence is starting to come for the Russian forward, and after recording only two shots on goal in his first four games, he recorded 12 over his last four games.
Drafted 61st overall in the 2020 NHL Entry Draft, Sokolov spent the 2019-20 season in the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League with the Cape Breton Eagles amassing 46 goals and 46 assists for 92 points in 52 games played. He finished tied for third in league scoring and led the Eagles in goals and points, and ranked second in assists. He represented Russia at the 2020 World Junior Championship, winning a silver medal and recording three goals and one assist for four points in seven games played.
Sokolov looks to be the next in line to excel in Belleville and earn a spot on the NHL roster. Following in the footsteps of Josh Norris, Drake Batherson, and Erik Brannstrom, who all had impressive seasons in the AHL last year and are now mainstays on the Senators roster. The 6-foot-4, 215-pound Russian winger certainly wouldn’t look out of place in the NHL, and if he keeps playing like this, he’ll find himself there sooner rather than later.
Martino Extends Point Streak
2021 NHL Entry Draft prospect and Lancers’ forward Martino is in impressive form in the USHL, having extended his point streak to seven games with six goals and eight assists for 14 points. The Toronto, Ontario native is one of the top producers in the USHL this season, ranking fifth in points per game with 1.58 trailing only Sean Farrell, Matt Coronato, Sasha Pastujov, and Cole Sillinger. On the season, Martino has 14 goals and 24 assists for 38 points in 24 games played. He has only failed to record a point in five of his 24 games played this season.
Martino spent the 2019-20 season in the Ontario Junior Hockey League with the St. Michael’s Buzzers amassing 29 goals and 50 assists for 79 points in 48 games played. He is committed to Clarkson University in the NCAA for the 2021-22 season.
Fan of the Anaheim Ducks for my whole life. I’m a die hard fan living in London, Ontario. Excited to be writing about the team I love. Talking all things Ducks on the Forever Mighty Podcast!