The San Jose Sharks selected Swedish winger Ivar Stenberg with the No. 2 overall pick in the 2026 NHL Draft, adding another elite young talent to a roster led by Macklin Celebrini.Stenberg, 18, plays for Frölunda HC and is coming off a strong season in Sweden, where he recorded 11 goals and 22 assists in 43 SHL games. He also helped Sweden win gold at the 2026 IIHF World Junior Championship, finishing with four goals and six assists in seven games. In the title game against Czechia, he had a goal and two assists.A native of Stenungsund, Sweden, Stenberg has built a reputation as a high-end playmaking talent. He also won silver at the 2025 World U18 Championship and has starred at multiple international tournaments for Sweden.Stenberg comes from a hockey family. His older brother, Otto Stenberg, was drafted in the first round by the St. Louis Blues in 2023.The Sharks still hold the No. 9 and No. 27 picks in the first round, giving San Jose more chances to add high-end talent around Celebrini and continue building one of the NHL’s youngest cores.
The San Jose Sharks selected Swedish winger Ivar Stenberg with the No. 2 overall pick in the 2026 NHL Draft, adding another elite young talent to a roster led by Macklin Celebrini.
Stenberg, 18, plays for Frölunda HC and is coming off a strong season in Sweden, where he recorded 11 goals and 22 assists in 43 SHL games.
He also helped Sweden win gold at the 2026 IIHF World Junior Championship, finishing with four goals and six assists in seven games. In the title game against Czechia, he had a goal and two assists.
A native of Stenungsund, Sweden, Stenberg has built a reputation as a high-end playmaking talent.
He also won silver at the 2025 World U18 Championship and has starred at multiple international tournaments for Sweden.
Stenberg comes from a hockey family. His older brother, Otto Stenberg, was drafted in the first round by the St. Louis Blues in 2023.
The Sharks still hold the No. 9 and No. 27 picks in the first round, giving San Jose more chances to add high-end talent around Celebrini and continue building one of the NHL’s youngest cores.