The San Jose Sharks didn’t just grab a top prospect when they took Ivar Stenberg second overall in the 2026 NHL Draft. They got a kid who’s already been winning at every level he’s touched.
The team officially signed the 18-year-old winger to a standard entry-level contract on Thursday. And if you look at what he did last season, it’s easy to see why the Sharks moved fast.
Stenberg spent 2025-26 skating for Frölunda HC in the Swedish Hockey League. He put up 11 goals and 33 points in 43 games, which led all teenage skaters in the league. That’s not just good for an 18-year-old. That’s the kind of production that makes GMs feel good about a high pick.
He also helped Frölunda win the Champions Hockey League title, chipping in four assists in six games. And in SHL U19 competition, he led in both points (33) and assists (22) while posting 0.77 points per game. Some context: he also had a 10-game SHL point streak from late October to early December, which is the longest by any player 18 or younger in that league.
International resume is already stacked
Stenberg won gold at the 2026 World Juniors for Sweden. Seven games, four goals and six assists. He finished tied for fifth in tournament scoring and had a three-point night (one goal, two assists) in the gold medal game against Czechia. The team named him a Top 3 player on the roster.
He didn’t stop there. At the 2026 IIHF World Championships, he scored four goals and eight points in the tournament, ranking second on Sweden in goals and third in total scoring.
Before that, he helped Sweden take silver at the 2025 U18 World Junior Championship with 13 points (eight goals, five assists) and made the All-Star Team. He also grabbed a bronze at the Hlinka Gretzky Cup, where his four goals led the tournament.
What the Sharks are getting
Stenberg is listed at 5-foot-11 and 190 pounds. Scouts like his playmaking and hockey sense most of all. During San Jose’s development camp scrimmage at Tech CU Arena, he even scored a goal that got people talking.
The Sharks’ young core is already taking shape with Macklin Celebrini, William Eklund, and Will Smith. Stenberg should slide right into that group sooner than later. The team hasn’t confirmed exactly when he’ll debut in the NHL, but given his track record, it probably won’t take long.
He’s got the numbers. He’s got the hardware. And now he’s got a contract.
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