Kristofer Berglund

History

2007-08: Berglund continued his campaign with IF Bjorkloven Umea (SWA), playing for both the Junior squad and Umea (SWE-2). He only appeared in one game with the juniors before being bumped up to the Sweden-2 squad. In 42 games, he recorded four goals and 21 assists. Another two playoff games gave the defenseman another assist to his total.

2008-09: Berglund played his first full season in the Elitserien with Lulea. He skated in 52 games, scoring 3 goals, 22 assists for 25 points and earning a nomination for the SEL Rookie of the Year award. He added 3 assists in 5 playoff games for Lulea. In 6 international appearances with Sweden, the blueliner scored 1 goal, 3 assists for 4 points.

2009-10: Berglund played 55 games for Lulea, scoring 6 goals, 16 assists for 22 points in his second SEL season. A free agent after the season, Berglund signed a 2-year contract with Farjestad in the SEL in April, 2010.

2010-11: After skating with Lulea in his first two seasons in Sweden’s Elitserien, Berglund joined Farjestads in his third pro season and was one of the club’s top defensemen; particularly in the league playoffs. He skated in 51 of 55 regular season games, scoring 3 goals with 12 assists, and was -1 with 28 PMs. A teammate of fellow St. Louis prospect Jonas Junland, Berglund skated in 13 of 14 playoff games and was +7 with 1 goal and 3 assists as Farjestads won the playoff title.

Talent Analysis

Berglund’s two most noticeable assets are his hockey sense and skating ability. He is an extremely smart player that makes smart decisions and usually delivers excellent passes. When it comes to his mobility, he has good overall speed and also accelerates well. Although perhaps a bit more noticeable in the offensive zone, Berglund definitely contributes both ways and is smart and rather solid in his own end. He is of smallish frame and does not play overly physical, but compensates this by solving tricky situations with his on-ice-vision and puck handling skills. To take his game to the next level, the already all-round defenseman needs to add more strength.

Future

At very least, Berglund should become a high-level player at minor league level.