For the first time in 14 years, no Swedes were selected in the first round of the NHL draft.
All the focus was on top name Macklin Celebrini, who was selected by San Jose.
No one was surprised when Macklin Celebrini became the first pick in the NHL draft's first round on Friday, local time. The 18-year-old star has already become a mega-celebrity and went as expected to San Jose.
It's an unreal feeling. I've dreamed about this since I was little, says Macklin Celebrini in a TV broadcast after being selected.
As the second pick, Artyom Levshunov went to Chicago, while Anaheim chose Beckett Sennecke as third.
However, the Swedish names were conspicuously absent from the list. It's the first time since 2010 that Sweden hasn't had a player in the first round.
On the other hand, it went well for the Norwegians. Michael Brandsegg-Nygård was selected as number 15 by Detroit. The Norwegian has played on the Swedish side of the border recently: last season in Mora and currently in Skellefteå. Also, Stian Solberg, who played in Vålerengen last season and currently in Färjestad, was drafted to Anaheim as number 23.
The draft continues on Saturday.
