Ducks' first-round pick Stian Solberg assigned to San Diego in surprise recall from Sweden

SAN DIEGO -- In a surprise move, the Anaheim Ducks have recalled 2024 first-round pick Stian Solberg from Farjestad BK of the Swedish Hockey League and assigned the 19-year-old defenseman to the San Diego Gulls.

The 6-foot-2, 205-pound blue-liner was selected No. 23 overall in the 2024 NHL Draft, and in 47 games with Farjestad this season, Solberg has earned a plus-1 rating with three goals and nine assists. The young Norwegian is second among SHL 20-and-under defenseman in points and assists and fourth in goals.

NHL teams usually let their international prospects finish their seasons abroad, but there is an IIHF-NHL agreement that allows teams to recall their first-round picks at any time.

“Anaheim says they have injuries in the organization and need him with them,” Farjestad BK general manager Rickard Wallin said (translated from Swedish). “There is not much we can do in the situation. Surprising and unfortunate considering where we are in the season, but we can only focus on the players we have with us and the task ahead.”

Anaheim’s official statement did not provide specific reasoning for the recall, but Wallin’s reasoning that the Ducks needed Solberg due to injuries is an odd note because both the Ducks and Gulls have seven healthy defensemen on their roster, including a heap of left-handers–four in Anaheim and three in San Diego. San Diego actually rolled out an 11-forward, seven-defenseman line-up on Friday.

It is also interesting timing on both ends.

Farjestad finished fourth in the SHL regular season to earn a bye into the SHL quarterfinals, which start on Friday. San Diego is seven points out of the final Calder Cup Playoffs spot in the Pacific Division with 14 games to play.

“We simply have to thank Stian for his time with us,” Wallin said. “He is a very promising player who we think has taken steps forward overall during the year, and he has been a popular player in the locker room, so we wish him the best of luck in the future.”

Solberg is a hard-nosed defenseman, emphasis on the “hard,” as his highlight ability is that of a freight train.

"He’s a throwback from a bygone era," Ducks general manager Pat Verbeek said after drafting Solberg. "I love how aggressive he is, how physical he is. There’s an edge in his game that we really liked. I think he’s a left-shot Radko Gudas that’s about three inches taller."

There is much more to his game than simply crushing the opposition, as Solberg has displayed above-average puck skills, solid skating ability and a foundational defensive IQ. 

The Ducks organization will get a much better look at their prospect down the stretch and down the road in San Diego.