The Vancouver Canucks have convinced one of their most exciting prospects to join the organization, signing Nils Hoglander to a three-year entry-level contract. The young forward has wowed audiences in the SHL for the last two seasons and Canucks GM Jim Benning is happy to have him under contract:
Nils is a dynamic player with a high skill level and a strong work ethic. He’s a creative playmaker with great hands and goal-scoring abilities. We’re pleased to sign Nils today and look forward to seeing continued development in his game next season.
If you didn’t know Hoglander’s name when the Canucks selected him 40th overall in 2019, you certainly did after the World Juniors. The skilled forward pulled off an incredible lacrosse-style goal against Finland that had the whole hockey world talking. While that goal may have opened the eyes of a broader audience, it wasn’t the first jaw-dropping goal Hoglander had scored at a high level and it certainly won’t be the last.
There is a real chance that Hoglander could return to Sweden for another season should he fail to make the Canucks out of camp, but there is a lot of excitement about his future in Vancouver.
I have to say, Gavin, after watching the clip a couple of times, “incredible lacrosse-style goal” now seems like a massive understatement. That was really fun to watch! Hopefully, that’s indicative of his skill set, so Vancouver can get really pumped to have him join the big club.
He actually had one for his club team that might be even better. He’s got some set of hands.
link to youtube.com
Absolutely agree! Had to fight through the stick-check, with a little bit more speed, and took advantage of a netminder, who, inexplicably made himself small in the net. Beauty! Both of ’em!