When Danny Briere was asked about the Flyers’ organizational depth at center, a position of need for a while now, he first mentioned Jack Berglund as a name to not forget.

The general manager was speaking after the first round of this summer’s NHL draft. A month later, Berglund was validating Briere’s reminder.

The 2024 second-rounder put up four goals and three assists through five games at the World Junior Summer Showcase in Minneapolis. His seven points were tied for most in the tournament, which featured the United States, Canada, Sweden and Finland.

The 6-foot-4 Swede was a standout at Flyers development camp, too.

“He’s noticeable from last year to this year,” assistant general manager Brent Flahr said in July. “He has put on weight, he’s getting stronger, the skating’s coming, but he’s a strong guy, he’s a powerful guy. He’s very smart, he has the ability to put people on his hip, feel them there, hold them off. He controls the wall, he goes to the net, he plays a real heavy game.”

Berglund had 22 points (eight goals, 14 assists) over 15 games last season for Farjestad BK in his country’s top junior league. He had three points (one goal, two assists) in 17 games at the SHL level, Sweden’s top pro league. He also played on loan in HockeyAllsvenskan, a pro league that is a tier below the SHL.

“He was on three different teams, so he’s constantly bouncing around,” Flyers director of player development Riley Armstrong said in July. “I went over there to see him this year and I didn’t even have a plan. … When I flew over there, I just jumped on a train and was going to any three cities that he might have been playing in. He’s a great kid, I’m kind of hoping that he takes that next step and plays in the top league.”

Jack Berglund has looked very good. Big Swedish center who Flyers took in second round last summer.

Danny Briere has mentioned him a couple of times when talking about Flyers’ future at center. pic.twitter.com/fQszX59Cje

— Jordan Hall (@JHallNBCS) July 3, 2025

A full season in the SHL would be a good challenge for Berglund, who already has some pro qualities. The 19-year-old can protect the puck and he’ll use his size around the net.

Flahr likened Berglund’s style of play to Mikko Koivu, who had a long and productive career, mostly with the Wild.

“He has got some of those same traits,” Flahr said. “Mikko was not the flashiest skater, but he was just a heavy, heavy guy, real hard to play against on both sides of the puck. Once he was down low, you couldn’t take it off of him.”

Last summer, Berglund knew improving his foot speed would be important.

“I’m just trying to get better every day with the skating because I have other tools,” he said then. “If I get that right, I think I can be a great player someday.

“It starts off the ice. You have to grind there off the ice, do the work that you have to do. For me, it’s more quickness and explosiveness that I have to do to get faster out there.”

Berglund missed last winter’s IIHF World Junior Championship because of an injury. This winter, he’ll be a prospect to watch for Flyers fans when the tournament starts a day after Christmas.