DRAFT: Adam Boqvist profile

AGE:17
HEIGHT:5'11''
WEIGHT:170
TEAM:Brynas
CSS RANKING:2nd among European Skaters
In a draft with so much attention on Rasmus Dahlin, the Swedish defenseman almost a lock to go number one overall, Adam Boqvist is waiting for the moment to show Dahlin is not the country's only product destined for greatness.
As one of the youngest players in the 2018 NHL Draft, Boqvist, 17, will bring a strong offensive presence and excellent direction as the quarterback of the power play to a lucky franchise.

He, however, likes to keep the description of his abilities more simple.
"I do my best to keep the puck on my stick and make the right plays," said Boqvist. "I utilize my strong skating abilities and shot on goal to help my team."
The portrayal seems modest when compared to how scouts view the blueliner.
"Boqvist is a skilled right-shot defenseman with excellent vision and on-ice awareness with a very good understanding of the game," said NHL.com's Mike Morreale. "He is more of a finesse-type player who at times plays bigger than he is but has a tremendous shot and his upside is high with proper development."
His top-tier offensive game was on full display on Swedish ice and beyond this past season.
Boqvist started by tallying 24 points (14G, 10) in 25 games of play for Brynas J20 squad in the SuperElit league and added five more points (3G, 2A) in three playoff games.

The defenseman also led his Swedish squad to a bronze medal at the U18 IIHF World Championship. In six games he tallied six points (3G, 3A) and would finish tournament play +6.
Boqvist then moved up to the Swedish Hockey League, where he saw a drop off in production. He picked up just one helper in 15 games, but understands how he must operate in an advanced league.
"Obviously, it is a big step when you jump from juniors to the big leagues," noted Boqvist. "They are much smarter out there, they skate well, and it comes down to one mistake will get you scored on."
As not only a young player in the upcoming draft, but also being on the youthful end of the SHL spectrum, Boqvist will look to improve on a few key components to help him excel in the future.

"I need to improve my all-around defensive play, while also winning more battles than I lose," he said. "I also need to be harder in front of the net and takeaway the forwards chances, while always having to improve my game in the offensive zone."
Thankfully, Boqvist won't have to look far to find some viable assistance in preparing his game for the next level with his brother Jesper already an established member of the Brynas team in the SHL.
Jesper, a 6'0" forward, also spent time before his first draft-eligible year making the jump from juniors to the SHL before being selected 36th overall by the New Jersey Devils in the 2017 NHL Draft.
Having all of that experience allowed Jesper to advise his younger brother ahead of the NHL Scouting Combine this past weekend.

"He told me to be myself, have fun and really just enjoy the week," Boqvist said of his brother's guidance.
While there is room for improvement as with almost any prospect, scouts are still very high what Boqvist could become in the NHL.
"He has the skills and size of another Sweden-born defenseman, Erik Karlsson," said NHL.com writer Adam Kimelman. "Boqvist likely will need at least one more season in the Swedish Hockey League to add strength and improve his consistency and commitment to the defensive side of the puck, but then should add a high-end puck-moving piece to a team's attack."
Boqvist did tell media at the combine that he sees his movement from the SHL to the world's best hockey league as more likely a two or three-year process, but the comparisons to his favorite player surely excite the young defenseman.
"I have always been a huge fan of Karlsson and while he is much better than me at this point I strive to be at his level one day," Boqvist said. "I watch film on him almost every day in order to further emulate how he plays."
While those are some big shoes to fill, Central Scouting's second ranked European skater seems to have the tools to reach that point someday.
WHAT THEY'RE SAYING:
"Boqvist is a finesse defenseman who is very skilled, possesses excellent vision and tons of talent. He is fun to watch and full of surprises on the ice. He often plays bigger than his size and skated in his first games with Sweden's Senior National Team in April," said European Scouting Services's Goran Stubb.
STATISTICS