The NHL Scouting Combine concluded on June 6, and one of the more surprising events was Ivar Stenberg not participating in the fitness testing. Stenberg is seen as a top prospect in the 2026 NHL Draft and the best player in the international pool.
Now it is being revealed as to why Stenberg did not participate in the fitness testing, per Marcus Antonelli of Pro Hockey Rumors.
Stenberg was sick and had been sick since right after the IIHF World Championship, where he registered four goals and four assists in eight games.
“If I would be feeling good, not too sick, I would do it. So, not happy about it, but it is what it is,” Stenberg said.
This was the final event before the NHL Draft, and Stenberg is in competition to be the top pick in the draft with Gavin McKenna. He interviews with 14 teams at the Combine, and is expected to be in attendance for Game 4 of the Stanley Cup Final between the Carolina Hurricanes and Vegas Golden Knights. He will be joined by other top prospects Chase Reid, Carson Carels, Keaton Verhoeff, Caleb Malhorta, and Alberts Smits at the game.
Stenberg is coming off a great season in the Swedish Hockey League, scoring 33 points in 43 games. His 33 points were the fifth most in SHL history for a player 18 years old or younger. He is behind Daniel Sedin, Markus Naslund, Tomas Sandstrom, and Henrik Sedin.
The first round of the NHL Draft is set for June 26, with the following rounds be completed on June 27.
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