How acquired: Selected with No. 23 pick in 2024 NHL Draft
2024-25 season: Farjestad (CHL): 10 GP, 1-2-3; Farjestad (SHL): 47 GP, 3-9-12; San Diego (AHL): 10 GP, 2-3-5
The Ducks traded two picks and moved up eight spots to select Solberg in the 2024 NHL Draft. The 19-year-old had a busy 2024-25 season, including playing for Norway in the Olympic Games Qualifiers, and the World Juniors, while moving from Farjestad BK in the Champions League to the Swedish Hockey League before getting some AHL experience. Solberg (6-2, 194) likely will begin the season in the AHL before getting called up later this season.
“Stian was playing his first year in the SHL this year, and had to acquire a new coach’s trust,” assistant general manager and director of amateur scouting Martin Madden told the Ducks website in June. ” … But clearly his confidence was never affected, and he continued to play his game regardless of how much he was used. I think we can expect big things from Stian in the future. Stian is close to being physically ready to play in the NHL.”
Projected NHL arrival: This season
How acquired: Selected with No. 10 pick in 2025 NHL Draft
2024-25 season: Brandon (WHL): 17 GP; 10-10-20
Although he missed 51 games last season with a back injury, McQueen still averaged 1.18 points per game, the highest on Brandon, and performed well at the NHL Scouting Combine. The 18-year-old center has size (6-5, 197), a good shot and playmaking ability that should make him a good fit down the middle for the Ducks in the future.
“He’s a unique package in the sense that he moves really well for a 6-foot-5 guy,” Ducks general manager Pat Verbeek said. “He has really good skill and he has the ability to be able to score. So, I think that he’s going to play a little different game than some of the guys that we have now in our mix. … We can take our time with him and let him progress in his own natural timeline.”
Projected NHL arrival: Next season