Sweden's Ivar Stenberg not focused on going No. 1 at NHL draft: 'I start laughing'

Ivar Stenberg can only crack a smile when the thought crosses his mind.

The Swedish winger has forced himself into the conversation as the potential No. 1 pick at the 2026 NHL draft with an impressive showing in the professional ranks back home.

That top spot was assumed to belong to Gavin McKenna some 12 months ago. Now there's at least a chance the team stepping to the microphone first in June will call Stenberg's name instead of the Canadian teenager.

"You want to go as high you can, but No. 1 has been nothing I think about," Stenberg said at the world junior hockey championship in Minneapolis. "I start laughing when I think about going No. 1."

The 18-year-old leads Frolunda, which sits atop Sweden's top division, with 24 points (six goals, 18 assists) in 25 games this season. Stenberg also has a goal and an assist for his country as part of victories over Slovakia and Switzerland at the men's under-20 tournament.

"A pretty silky player," Swedish defenceman and Winnipeg Jets prospect Sascha Boumedienne said after his team's opener in St. Paul, Minn. "He knows exactly what to do in every area of the game. He's so smart, so skilled, such a good skater.

"We love to have him on the team; he does what he does."

Small in stature at five-foot-eight and 154 pounds, Stenberg can manipulate the game with patience and awareness.

"Wants to learn all the time," Swedish head coach Magnus Havelid said. "A very humble guy."

Gavin McKenna was destined to become Canada's next hockey star

Anton Frondell, who went No. 3 to Chicago at the 2025 draft, said his world junior roommate isn't showing signs of stress despite knowing scouts are dissecting each of his shifts at the showcase event.

"He's relaxed," said Frondell,