{"id":1915,"date":"2025-07-13T11:54:47","date_gmt":"2025-07-13T11:54:47","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/firearmupgrades.com\/?p=1915"},"modified":"2025-07-13T11:54:47","modified_gmt":"2025-07-13T11:54:47","slug":"inside-the-blackhawks-decision-to-draft-anton-frondell-swedish-connections-and-eyes-on-fire","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/firearmupgrades.com\/?p=1915","title":{"rendered":"Inside the Blackhawks’ decision to draft Anton Frondell: Swedish connections and ‘eyes on fire’"},"content":{"rendered":"


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Former Blackhawks<\/a> defenseman Johnny Oduya doesn\u2019t watch a ton of hockey anymore. He\u2019s busy enough running two companies in Stockholm.<\/p>\n

So when Hawks associate general manager Norm Maciver called Oduya this spring to ask about top Swedish draft prospect Anton Frondell, he couldn\u2019t offer much insight into Frondell\u2019s on-ice skills.<\/p>\n

But Oduya could speak to Frondell\u2019s personality, and he had a glowing review to share.<\/p>\n

\u2018\u2018When I meet young players, I tend to look for…the eyes on fire and the need and the want [to succeed],\u2019\u2019 Oduya said. \u2018\u2018That\u2019s really cool when it\u2019s connected to skill and hockey sense and all of the other stuff he has.\u2019\u2019<\/p>\n

The Hawks also gathered intel from Swedish scouts Mats Hallin and Niklas Blomgren, who met with Frondell for countless coffees and lunches; from former Hawks forward Marcus Kruger, who played with Frondell; and from Frondell himself, who was comfortable being his genuine self in front of executives.<\/p>\n

All of that factored into their decision to draft Frondell with the No. 3 overall pick<\/a>. In the 18-year-old forward, the Hawks think they potentially have added a crucial ingredient to their up-and-coming core<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Swedish connections<\/h3>\n

By chance, Frondell has come of age in the same circles as a number of former Hawks. The first one he befriended was Oduya.<\/p>\n

Oduya \u2014 who helped the Hawks win Stanley Cups in 2013 and 2015 \u2014 has, since retirement, founded an athletic apparel brand (Atunya) and a center for breath-work classes (Hale). In the last several years, Frondell has done apparel photo shoots and participated in field-hockey tournaments organized by Oduya.<\/p>\n

\u2018\u2018I haven\u2019t spoken with him about [breath work], but that\u2019s something I should do, though,\u2019\u2019 Frondell said, a light bulb flickering inside his head.<\/p>\n

Said Oduya: \u2018\u2018In many ways, [Anton] has a lot of the characteristics Marian Hossa had. He\u2019s a very down-to-earth individual that has this light appearance. But he\u2019s still really hard-working and doesn\u2019t take himself too seriously. He knows what he can deliver.\u2019\u2019<\/p>\n

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Anton Frondell starred for the Swedish club Djurgarden last season.<\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/p>\n

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Bildbyran\/Sipa USA via AP Photos<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/figure><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n

In spring 2023, Oduya brought Kruger, a fellow two-time Cup champion, to watch Frondell play for the Swedish national under-16 team. It turned out he needn\u2019t have made the introduction. <\/p>\n

Frondell and Kruger, 35, became teammates last season on the Swedish club Djurgarden and became close off the ice, too.<\/p>\n

\u2018\u2018It\u2019s so noticeable: [Anton] has the whole package,\u2019\u2019 Kruger said. \u2018\u2018He can skate, he can shoot \u2014 he can really shoot it \u2014 and [he has] hockey sense. But during this year it was the confidence that grew. That\u2019s why he could, in some games, really dominate.\u2019\u2019<\/p>\n

Frondell endured an injury-plagued fall, but he found a rhythm around Christmas and was Djurgarden\u2019s \u2018\u2018best player in February and March,\u2019\u2019 in Kruger\u2019s opinion.<\/p>\n

He finished with 25 points in 29 regular-season games in the Allsvenskan, Sweden\u2019s second-division pro league. That per-game rate roughly equaled those of William Nylander and David Pastrnak \u2014 lofty company \u2014 during their predraft seasons in the Allsvenskan.<\/p>\n

Frondell\u2019s ice time declined in the playoffs because of other players returning from injuries, but he still added seven points in 16 games to help Djurgarden earn promotion into the first-division Swedish Hockey League. Ludvig Rensfeldt, a Hawks second-round pick in 2010 whom they never signed, also played on the team.<\/p>\n

When the Hawks selected Frondell in June, Djurgarden teammates flooded his phone with congratulatory messages.<\/p>\n

\u2018\u2018Kruger texted me: \u2018You\u2019re going to love [Chicago]. There\u2019s no better city, no better place,\u2019\u2009\u2019\u2019 Frondell said.<\/p>\n

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Two minutes of Anton Frondell’s (#2025NHLDraft<\/a>) best offensive moments from this season.<\/p>\n

Blistering one-timers from the half wall, angle-changing releases from mid-range, strong off-puck instincts around the slot, creative finishing solutions from close range. pic.twitter.com\/Psm7A0x29X<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2014 Lassi Alanen (@lassialanen) June 5, 2025<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n

Selling points<\/b><\/h3>\n

Hawks amateur scouting director Mike Doneghey first saw Frondell in February 2024 \u2014 at an international tournament in Michigan \u2014 and noticed one deficiency in an otherwise impressive package.<\/p>\n

\u2018\u2018The size, the puck protection, the IQ and the hands, that was all there,\u2019\u2019 Doneghey said. \u2018\u2018The issue at that time \u2014 because he was only 16 years old \u2014 was his skating.<\/p>\n

\u2018\u2018The tongues of his skates were hanging out. His skates looked really loose. He just looked weak from the ankles down in his skating. But from that point on, we all knew that…through maturity and strength training, the skating would come.\u2019\u2019<\/p>\n

It did \u2014 at least from the Hawks\u2019 perspective. Not every scout league-wide is enamored with Frondell\u2019s skating, but the Hawks can tell he has put in the work necessary to improve it, especially his first three strides. In the under-18 world championships this spring in Texas, Doneghey saw a radical difference from the year before.<\/p>\n

\u2018\u2018Anton is power,\u2019\u2019 he said. \u2018\u2018He\u2019s lower-body-heavy. Almost like Jonathan Toews skated, he\u2019s just power coming through the middle of the ice.\u2019\u2019<\/p>\n

One trait every scout is enamored with is Frondell\u2019s shot. He can release the puck quickly with accuracy and velocity. Kruger said he\u2019s \u2018\u2018in awe\u2019\u2019 of it.<\/p>\n

The Hawks suspect Frondell\u2019s style one day will translate effectively in the NHL playoffs, too. That\u2019s not only because of his husky frame (6-1, 205 pounds) but also because of his hard-nosed determination.<\/p>\n

\u2018\u2018He just has that…\u2018it\u2019 factor when he knows something is on the line,\u2019\u2019 Doneghey said. \u2018\u2018He\u2019s not going to take an easy route if there\u2019s a puck in the corner; he\u2019s going to go directly to get the puck. He\u2019s going to turn his body to protect his puck against the wall and the same thing at net-front.\u2019\u2019<\/p>\n

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The Blackhawks like Frondell\u2019s size and ability to use it effectively.<\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/p>\n

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Matt Winkelmeyer\/Getty Images<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/figure><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n

Humble confidence<\/b><\/h3>\n

During the Hawks\u2019 NHL combine interview with Frondell, they went 12 minutes past their allotted time before anyone even checked the clock.<\/p>\n

\u2018\u2018A lot of players…seem to have all the answers already,\u2019\u2019 Doneghey said. \u201cHe thinks, \u2018What do I need to do to get better? Who do I need to talk to [in order] to do this?\u2019 He\u2019s always thinking [about] how to get better, and you can tell.\u2019\u2019<\/p>\n

One story from that interview already has been told: When the Hawks asked Frondell whether he preferred center or wing, he said he would play whichever position Connor Bedard wasn\u2019t playing. In retrospect, he feels slightly embarrassed about that answer.<\/p>\n

\u2018\u2018I think it was just a funny thing,\u2019\u2019 Frondell said. \u2018\u2018He\u2019s a pretty good player, so it\u2019s a bit scary to say that.\u2019\u2019<\/p>\n

That sheepishness aligns with one way Oduya described him: \u2018\u2018There\u2019s a difference between cocky confidence and humble confidence, and he really has the latter.\u2019\u2019<\/p>\n

There\u2019s no question Frondell is confident, though. Perhaps that comes from his family dynamic; he spends hours per week competing on tennis courts against dad Henrik and older sister Alva. Or perhaps it\u2019s innate.<\/p>\n

\u2018\u2018Maybe I am pretty confident, but I don\u2019t get satisfied often,\u2019\u2019 Frondell said. \u2018\u2018I know what it takes, and you\u2019re never done. You have to believe it for it to happen. If I was shy and not confident, it\u2019s harder to make it happen.\u2019\u2019<\/p>\n

As of now, Frondell is preparing to return to Djurgarden next season. Kruger said he expects Frondell to be a \u2018\u2018force\u2019\u2019 for them and thinks playing in the tougher SHL will aid his development.<\/p>\n

It is also possible Frondell could earn a spot on the Hawks\u2019 roster or start the season in Rockford, provided the Hawks work out some agreement with Djurgarden and sign him to an NHL entry-level contract.<\/p>\n

No matter where he lands in 2025-26, however, Frondell represents a big part of the Hawks\u2019 future \u2014 and his Swedish mentors think he will thrive with that responsibility.<\/p>\n

\u2018\u2018There\u2019s a lot of things to learn in the NHL, not just how to pass or backcheck but how to carry yourself and become a professional and withstand the mental [pressure],\u2019\u2019 Oduya said. \u2018\u2018With his attitude and personality, I think he has the ability to do that and excel at that.\u2019\u2019<\/p>\n<\/div>\n