Adam Boqvist
Position: D
Team: Brynäs IF (Swedish Hockey League)
Date of Birth: August 15, 2000
Birthplace: Falun, Sweden
Height: 5 feet 11 inches
Weight: 170 pounds
Shoots: Right
2017-18 Stats
47 GP/14 G/13 A/27 PTS/27 PIM
Adam Boqvist ranks as one of the top defensemen in this year’s draft, drawing a ton of comparisons to fellow Swedish defenseman Erik Karlsson. While playing the shadow of another certain Swedish defender getting a lot of publicty in this draft, Boqvist is an excellent skater and has offensive prowess to create a complete package on the blue line. He played most of the season in SuperElit where he starred for Brynas U20 team, racking up 14 goals and 24 points in 25 games. A promotion to the big SHL club yielded mixed results, but his six point, six game performance at the WJC-18 is another plus for the 17-year-old.
Boqvist’s older brother Jesper was drafted by the New Jersey Devils early in the second round of last year’s draft. Adam trusts in his strong wrist shot and will need to add size to play an NHL game, but that’s doable. He has all the tools to make a first round splash—skating, awareness, stickhandling. Will he be the next Karlsson? Probably not, but Karlsson is a once-in-a-generation star. Boqvist plays a simple, offensive game where coaches will try to minimize his propensity to gamble, but they’d certainly love to add him to the roster.
Rankings
Hockeyprospect.com: 4
Future Considerations: 7
ISS Hockey: 8
McKeen’s Hockey: 8
NHL Central Scouting (EU Skaters): 2
Quotes
“A dynamic offensive defenceman that can carry plays with the puck on his stick. A highly mobile and nimble skater that moves with fluidity, balance, and confidence. Utilizes an active stick and creates turnovers frequently. Could be more proactive in his own end, but has shown progression in understanding lanes and reading unfolding plays; most of his best defensive work comes through the neutral zone, as there is a lot less time and space to work with, and it is in those moments that Boqvist shines. Offensively, Boqvist is electric; he has the toolbox of a top line forward. Slick puckhandling ability paired with excellent vision and positional awareness makes him a dangerous threat every time he is on the ice. He also takes advantage of the attention and bodies he draws towards himself in creating space for teammates. All-in-all, Adam Boqvist is a complete offensive defenceman that knows how to get the puck from point A to the back of the net, and can make it happen all by himself.” – Curtis Joe, EliteProspects
“Boqvist is a confident, puck-moving blueliner…skates well with quick agile feet that generate solid levels of speed…solid on his edges…very efficient skater…keeps the game simple, and cuts out the extra overly creative pass by finding open teammates in good position…moves the puck quickly and beautifully around the ice with crisp clean passes…can fire the puck accurately on the net with a quick release…adept at sneaking into open lanes for an opportunity…a steadying presence…plays the point well and has impressive ability to keep the puck in the offensive zone…very active stick at both ends, and uses it wisely to keep the pressure on the defense, helping hem them in their own zone or to disrupt the attack defending in his zone…very active feet, can contain his assignment with good agility and willing to get after the opposition with physical play…positions his body to box out opponents…his size is the obvious drawback…provides his team with a steady presence on the blue line, and thinks the game at a high level…a potential top-four two-way defenseman.” – Future Considerations