{"id":760511,"date":"2026-06-25T16:02:14","date_gmt":"2026-06-25T16:02:14","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/760511\/"},"modified":"2026-06-25T16:02:14","modified_gmt":"2026-06-25T16:02:14","slug":"mckeens-hockey-2026-nhl-draft-guide-feature-off-the-beaten-path","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/760511\/","title":{"rendered":"MCKEEN’S HOCKEY 2026 NHL DRAFT GUIDE FEATURE – Off the beaten path"},"content":{"rendered":"

\t\t\"\"V\u00e4xj\u00f6s Wiggo S\u00f6rensson U18 11 april 2026\u00a0
Photo: Jonas Ljungdahl \/ BILDBYR\u00c5N<\/p>\n

Landsbro, Sweden.<\/p>\n

It\u2019s a village like many across the slightly hilly, green southern Swedish landscape.<\/p>\n

It\u2019s home to not even 1500 inhabitants and a scattering of traditional red barnyard buildings.<\/p>\n

It\u2019s nestled between Vetlanda and S\u00e4vsj\u00f6, themselves all of roughly 13,000 and 5000 inhabitants, respectively.<\/p>\n

The nearest SHL towns are Jonk\u00f6ping (HV71) and V\u00e4xj\u00f6 (Lakers). They\u2019re each a little over an hour\u2019s car ride away, even if V\u00e4xj\u00f6 is geologically 14 kilometers closer.<\/p>\n

Chances are, you\u2019ve never heard of Landsbro. You may be seeing its name for the first time ever as you read this. We certainly won\u2019t hold it against you.<\/p>\n

But rest assured that Sweden\u2019s ice hockey community knows exactly where it is. It\u2019s a place where ice hockey is a way of life and special talents are formed every winter.<\/p>\n

Often unassuming and often mired in the country\u2019s lower leagues, the Boro-Vetlanda club can nonetheless point to an impressive history of native sons who found their way to the professional hockey sphere.<\/p>\n

One such young hometown player has been as unassuming in his rise to being a sneaky hot draft topic this summer as the area he comes from. Indeed, Wiggo S\u00f6rensson has been a sidenote in many a scout\u2019s notebook all season long for wherever he\u2019s played, magic has happened.<\/p>\n

Yep, and well, he technically suited up for six different teams along the way.<\/p>\n

Having turned 18 last April, the 5-foot-11, 180-pound S\u00f6rensson has displayed beaucoup skills all season long, most particularly in helping his hometown team gain promotion to the HockeyEttan, Sweden\u2019s third pro circuit. There, he was his team\u2019s top scorer, delivering 48 points in 37 games in the effort.<\/p>\n

Then he topped things off by chipping in six points and a +6 in six games for Team Sweden at the U18 Worlds. Yep, you know, the one that won gold.<\/p>\n

Oh yes, there\u2019s that too.<\/p>\n

By then, he was more than just a note in the scouts\u2019 notebooks.<\/p>\n

An exhilarating skater with deft mitts who can often be seen setting up teammates, dashing by defenders, or downright powering his way to the goal, the hockey world has only just started to learn who S\u00f6rensson is and what he\u2019s capable of. And whether it\u2019s on the ice against older juniors, against men, and against the best the world has to offer in his age group, or off the ice in managing life with type 1 diabetes, a condition that requires daily treatment, he\u2019s been very used to facing challenges.<\/p>\n

In preparation for NHL Draft 2026, we were fortunate enough to have a chance to hear from a very cordial S\u00f6rensson as part of the following Q&A.<\/p>\n

1) You’re coming off a long season where you wore many different jerseys, to say the least. How has this past season been for you and your development – aside from being very busy?<\/p>\n

It\u2019s been a great season! It\u2019s been a lot of fun. I\u2019ve had a chance to play with a bunch of different teams at different levels, and I\u2019ve been part of three teams that won championships this year. It\u2019s been really special and something that I feel has helped me develop in a number of ways. By getting to play with all these different teams, I\u2019ve had the opportunity to face various challenges that have all helped me improve myself and many parts of my game, both on and off the ice.<\/p>\n

2) You come from a small community. When you grow up in a place like this, how much access do you have to ice time and rinks? And what role does the sport of ice hockey play in your community?<\/p>\n

Ice hockey has always been the best thing I know and there\u2019s always been a lot of ice and practice time to be had between Landsbro and Vetlanda. Being a skilled player for a smaller club, I\u2019ve had the opportunity to suit up and play for lots of teams in different age groups. In addition to all these organized games I\u2019ve been part of, there\u2019s a lot of community access to public skating at the ice rink in Landsbro. This has been a big part of Boro-Vetlanda\u2019s hockey history and culture. Over time, the club has produced a lot of good players who went on to have pro careers and play at elite levels. A few examples would be Erik Karlsson, Johan Franz\u00e9n, and Linus Karlsson. And there are more.<\/p>\n

3) You spent most of this season playing for your local club Boro-Vetlanda, where you played for both the junior and men\u2019s teams. Has it always been a source of pride for you to represent the local community and the place where you come from?<\/p>\n

Absolutely. For sure. I\u2019ve always felt a great sense of pride in playing for my hometown club. At the same time, it\u2019s been my love of ice hockey that has always played the biggest role in it all.<\/p>\n

\"\"V\u00e4xj\u00f6s Wiggo S\u00f6rensson
Photo: Jonas Ljungdahl \/ BILDBYR\u00c5N<\/p>\n

4) You eventually suited up for the V\u00e4xj\u00f6 program over portions of the second half of the season, getting into several U20 contests and concluding the year with six very successful games with the U18 team. What motivated this transfer to the well-known V\u00e4xj\u00f6 program and how exactly does a junior player get to be loaned out within the Swedish junior system?<\/p>\n

On the one hand, I have a lot of friends who play for V\u00e4xj\u00f6. And I just love playing as much as I can. On the other hand, I\u2019ve been open to getting as much playing time as I can. The loan to V\u00e4xj\u00f6 was made possible by a form of dual registration that both clubs have to agree to. The Swedish Ice Hockey Federation has stipulations regulating how players can be loaned out to different clubs, well aware that it\u2019s valuable experience for individual players to play and develop at different levels. And it also naturally helps teams strengthen and fill out their line-ups.<\/p>\n

5) Judging by your stats, you had no problem adjusting to the competition with V\u00e4xj\u00f6 but how different or difficult was it for you to make that switch to new teammates, coaches, systems, etc.?<\/p>\n

Well, it\u2019s clear that different clubs will have different ways of playing. But at some point, it\u2019s all just hockey and as a player, you try to incorporate as much of your own ability, hockey sense, and instincts as possible. Already knowing so many people in the V\u00e4xj\u00f6 organization certainly made it easier to fit in and play the games for them.<\/p>\n

6) Very shortly after your stint with V\u00e4xj\u00f6\u2019s U18 squad, you joined Team Sweden for the U18 Worlds in Slovakia. You had played roughly eight or nine test games for Sweden throughout the winter, but this is the first year whatsoever where you\u2019ve been part of the national team program. How was that experience for you in Slovakia considering it was not only your first time playing for a national team at an official tournament, but also with being in another part of Europe and playing in front of an international audience?<\/p>\n

For my part, I felt like I got into the swing of things with the national team program more and more with every game and tournament throughout the winter. That made it much easier for me to just dive into things with the team at the U18 Worlds. Otherwise, the tournament itself was simply an otherworldly experience that I could hardly have imagined myself ever being part of a few years back. Ultimately, it was just incredible to win gold there with Team Sweden. And we did it in front of such an unbelievable crowd!<\/p>\n

\"\"TRENCIN, SLOVAKIA – MAY 2: Sweden’s Wiggo Sorensson #22 celebrates his first-period goal against Slovakia during the Gold Medal Game at the 2026 IIHF Ice Hockey U18 World Championship at Pavol Demitra Ice Hockey Stadium on May 2, 2026 in Trencin, Slovakia. (Photo by Micheline Veluvolu\/IIHF)<\/p>\n

7) Indeed, Sweden won gold and you chipped in with four goals, six points, and a +6 rating along the way. For the most part, your teammates were players you probably had hardly ever played with before. What do you think made it possible for you to step in and contribute like you did under these circumstances, with so little time to develop chemistry and work on tactics?<\/p>\n

You know, I think it was my experiences from prior tournaments along the way that really helped me be ready for the Worlds. I\u2019ve actually also known a lot of my teammates on that team for a while, like even from before our time with the national team program. That\u2019s something that definitely allowed me to be confident in what I was doing and contributing on the ice.<\/p>\n

The coaching staff was also terrific in guiding me towards finding just the right role in the team, one that allowed me to bring my game to the table and best help the team with my strengths along the way. All in all, the program was very patient with me all winter long, which I think really helped me mature and become a viable option for them at the U18 Worlds.<\/p>\n

8) When you think about going from suiting up for Boro-Vetlanda\u2019s J20 team last fall and then ending the season with a gold medal around your neck, what goes through your mind?<\/p>\n

What really jumps out at me is that it\u2019s the same sport, but in different places and at different levels. I\u2019m always having fun when I\u2019m playing hockey. And, even if in different ways, it\u2019s every bit as much fun for me whether I\u2019m with Boro\u2019s U20 team or suiting up for Team Sweden.<\/p>\n

9) Looking back at the whole season, what part of your skillset do you feel has improved the most?<\/p>\n

Having played for different teams and at different levels, I\u2019ve learned to take on different forms of responsibility. I\u2019ve learned to be able to adapt my game to what the team needs of me, both as a player and a person.<\/p>\n

10) And what do you think you really need to work on to take the next step in your development?<\/p>\n

I want to be better capable of daring to contribute with and play my game more, to apply my skillset more, regardless of which team or at what level I\u2019m playing at.<\/p>\n

11) Looking forward, you have committed to staying in your hometown and playing for Boro-Vetlanda club next season. Indeed, you helped the team gain promotion to the 3rd circuit HockeyEttan next season. We can imagine that you have had some offers from teams and programs. How hard or easy was it for you to make this decision to stay with the program you\u2019re most familiar with?<\/p>\n

When we gained promotion, I immediately felt that it was right for me to be here, that this was a logical step in my developmental path. It\u2019s just natural for me to remain here with Boro-Vetlanda and get my high school diploma right here at home while getting my feet wet and testing my metal in pro hockey played at a high level.<\/p>\n

12) Are there perhaps other factors that make it favourable for you to remain in your hometown? After all, you will still be surrounded by family, among other things\u2026<\/p>\n

For sure! It\u2019s definitely important and an advantage for me to have my family close by regularly. At the same time, I simply love playing hockey here with Boro. Taking the next step to the HockeyEttan is what I feel is absolutely the right thing for me at this point in my development.<\/p>\n

13) Is there any chance you still have the option to be loaned out to V\u00e4xj\u00f6\u2019s junior program at some point next season? Is that a door that is still open?<\/p>\n

The option of another loan is there, if felt to be beneficial. It\u2019s something that my agent and I will visit and explore after the summer.<\/p>\n

14) What do you think hockey in the HockeyEttan will be like now that you\u2019ve had a full season of experience in the Division 2 circuit?<\/p>\n

It\u2019s a clear step up where I\u2019ll now be facing a certain type of pro hockey player. Here in southern Sweden, the HockeyEttan is a strong league that features a lot of good players who have certain qualities. I\u2019m really looking forward to taking this next step to this league with Boro and continuing my personal development as a hockey player there.<\/p>\n

15) The SHL is widely considered perhaps the best league in continental Europe. And many young players make an impact there at an early age. We see how quickly things have gone for players such as Anton Frondell and Victor Eklund, for example. Is the SHL a league you hope to play in one day and do you watch the progress other young players have made there in recent years?<\/p>\n

Certainly, the SHL really is quite a good league and it\u2019s one that it would be cool to play in one day. And yes, it is extra special to see these young players coming up and being able to have such an impact right away.<\/p>\n

16) Well, before next season begins, there\u2019s going to be a big event this summer, and it is one you will surely be part of. We\u2019re naturally referring to the NHL draft. Will you be attending the draft in Buffalo and what kind of thoughts do you have about it as it approaches?<\/p>\n

No, I won\u2019t be there in Buffalo for the draft. I\u2019ll be following it here at home though. But honestly, I haven\u2019t really given the draft a whole lot of thought. It would of course be extremely, extremely cool if a team decides to draft me.<\/p>\n

17) In general, do you follow the NHL and the highlights, and is a possible future there something you think about?<\/p>\n

Personally, I don\u2019t watch a whole lot of NHL hockey, but I do follow the league. If the day should come when I end up being good enough to play in the NHL – and you\u2019ve got to be really good – then it would be absolutely fantastic.<\/p>\n

18) Lastly, how would you describe your game and how you approach new challenges? What kind of a player and competitor is Wiggo S\u00f6rensson?<\/p>\n

I\u2019d really have to describe myself as a strong-skating, smart hockey player who can adjust well to various settings and can be made use of in a variety of situations. I am a loyal player who does everything he can to help the team win each and every game!<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"V\u00e4xj\u00f6s Wiggo S\u00f6rensson U18 11 april 2026\u00a0Photo: Jonas Ljungdahl \/ BILDBYR\u00c5N Landsbro, Sweden. It\u2019s a village like many…\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":760512,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[433],"tags":[112867,49,48,448,82,183943],"class_list":["post-760511","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","category-nhl","tag-2026-nhl-draft","tag-ca","tag-canada","tag-nhl","tag-sports","tag-wiggo-sorensson"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/760511","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=760511"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/760511\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/760512"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=760511"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=760511"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=760511"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}