Rasmus Bergqvist has taken a huge step forward this season. He started out as a injury replacement, but his stable and secure defensive play in SHL has helped him stay in the line up for Skellefteå AIK, even with players returning from injuries and coach Robert Ohlsson being replaced.
Bergqvist made his debut for Sweden’s development program when he was part of their squad at the five nations tournament in November. Sweden’s coach Magnus Hävelid said to Eyes on the Prize at the time: “the steps forward that Bergqvist had taken was impressive, but that he was a player that had always been on the radar. However, no-one could have foreseen the development during the summer but that is what makes working with juniors exciting and unpredictable.”
The combination of Axel Sandin-Pellikka and Bergqvist, two players that has played together in Skellefteå’s development program, works out great for Sweden. Sandin-Pellikka’s offence is second to none, and Bergqvist provides a defensive cover (and a fair bit of size) to that pairing.
It was somewhat of a surprise when Montreal selected Bergqvist in the seventh round, 224th-overall at the 2024 draft, but so far that pick has really worked out.
