Liam Ohgren to make NHL debut for Minnesota Wild on Friday 

The Minnesota Wild announced on Friday that forward Liam Ohgren is expected to make his NHL debut against the Vegas Golden Knights. 

Ohgren was recalled on Wednesday from Iowa of the American Hockey League. He played three games with Iowa this season, finishing minus-4. 

“First NHL game, it’s been my dream since I started playing hockey,” Ohgren said. “It’s going to be special, for sure, and it’s really fun [that] it’s going to be in Vegas.”

Prior to the AHL, Ohgren recorded 19 points (12 goals, seven assists) in 26 games for Färjestad BK of the Swedish Elite League. He also played in four playoff games, as Färjestad was eliminated despite being a contender for the championship. 

Ohgren previously played two seasons for Djurgarden (SHL), tallying 22 points (12 goals, 10 assists). 

Internationally, Ohgren recorded three assists while serving as captain for silver-medal-winning Team Sweden at the 2024 IIHF World Junior Championship. 

The 2022 first-round pick (No. 19 overall) is known as an excellent skater with elite puck-moving skills. Here is what the experts said about him in the EliteProspects 2022 NHL Draft Guide:

“Everything happens in motion for Öhgren. He gets moving as pucks arrive at his position, skates through his passes, and doesn’t need to break stride to get off his shot. He plays at such a heightened pace that the puck often flies from his stick no sooner than you realize he’s even secured possession in the first place.”

According to Michael Russo of the Athletic, the 20-year-old winger skated on a line with Marat Khusnutdinov and Vinni Lettieri at practice on Thursday but could be moved as the Wild have a couple of players who may miss the game. 

Members of Ohgren’s family that are expected to attend Friday include his mom, dad, stepdad, younger brother and girlfriend.