Robin Norell
| Birthday: 1995-02-18 | Position: D |
| Eligible for draft: 2013 | Shoots: Left |
| Drafted: 2013 | Height: 5-11 |
| Acquired: 4th round (111th overall), 2013 | Weight: 190 lbs. |
Probability of Success
- C
History
2010-11: Robin Norell skated for the Djurgarden U18 and U16 teams and played for the gold medal-winning Stockholm 1 team in the TV-Pucken tournament for high school-age players in Sweden. He had no points and two penalty minutes in ten games between the two Djurgarden squads. Norell scored 1 goal with 4 assists and had 4 penalty minutes in eight TV-Pucken games.
2011-12: Norell made his debut in Sweden’s SuperElit U20 league as a 17-year-old, appearing in one playoff game for Djurgarden, and skated for the club’s U18 team. He was scoreless in his only U20 game. Norell scored 2 goals with 9 assists in 37 regular season games and was +17 with 24 penalty minutes for Djurgarden’s U18 team. He had no points and 2 penalty minutes in four U18 playoff games.
2012-13: Norell split the season between the Djurgarden U20 and U18 teams and represented Sweden at the 2013 U18 World Junior Championship. In 35 games with Djurgarden U20, including two playoff games, he scored 1 goal with 4 assists and was -5 with 6 penalty minutes. In 30 regular season games for Djurgarden U18 he scored 10 goals with 7 assists and was +21 with 16 penalty minutes. After finishing fifth in the South Division, Djurgarden reached the AllSvenskan U18 semifinals. Norell scored 2 goals with 1 assist and was +9 with 6 penalty minutes in nine playoff games. In five games at the U18 WJC in Sochi he was +2 with no points and 2 penalty minutes. Sweden finished fifth in the tournament. Norell was ranked 58th amongst European skaters in Central Scouting’s final rankings and was selected by Chicago in the fourth round (111th overall) of the 2013 NHL Draft.
2013-14: Norell played for the Djurgarden men’s team in AllSvenskan, the Sweden second division, and was a member of the silver medal-winning Sweden U20 team at the 2014 World Juniors. Missing much of the season due to injury, he had 5 assists and was plus-10 with 10 penalty minutes in 22 regular season games for Djurgarden. Djurgarden finished third in the regular season and earned elevation to the SHL for 2014-15 after finishing second in the six-team Kval playoff series. Norell had 1 assist and was minus-4 with no penalties in 10 Kval series games. In seven games at the WJC he scored 1 goal and was plus-3 with 2 penalty minutes. Sweden lost to Finland, 3-2, in overtime in the gold medal game in Stockholm.
2014-15: Norell made his debut in North America pro hockey — signing an amateur try-out contract with Blackhawks AHL affiliate Rockford in April 2015 following his rookie season in Sweden’s SHL. He had an even plus/minus with no points and 2 penalty minutes in three AHL playoff games for the IceHogs. Norell scored 3 goals with 6 assists and was -11 with 12 penalty minutes in 48 games for Djurgarden in SHL play. Djurgarden finished ninth in the regular season and was swept by Lulea in a best-of-three play-in series. Norell was -1 with no points nor penalty minutes in two games. Norell played for the Sweden U20 team in the World Juniors. He had an even plus/minus with 1 assist and 4 penalty minutes in seven games at the WJC. Sweden finished fourth, falling 4-2 to Slovakia in the bronze medal game.
Talent Analysis
Norell does not have the prototypical size of an NHL defenseman, but he makes up for it with mobility and moxie. He is a smooth-skater that can cover a lot of the ice. There is no hesitation when it comes to sacrificing his body to block a shot or take a hit against the forecheck.
Future
Norell is back in Sweden for his second SHL season with Djurgarden in 2015-16 after getting a late season taste of North American hockey in the AHL playoffs last spring. Playing for Djurgarden last year as a 19-year-old, he had the opportunity to play full-time minutes against men earlier than he might have with a stronger club. Norell has added some bulk since he was first drafted by the Blackhawks and his development appears on schedule. Chicago is deep in defense prospects so he faces stiff competition for an entry-level contract. Long-term Norell projects as a sound two-way defenseman with the combative nature to be solid in a middle pair role.
