Life just got a little Swede-r for the Chicago Blackhawks.
The Hawks drafted the top-ranked international player with the No. 3 pick in Friday’s NHL draft in Swedish forward Anton Frondell, an 18-year-old who, after graduating to Djurgårdens’ junior team to Sweden’s second division, stood out with 11 goals and 14 assists while competing against men.
“It’s an amazing feeling,” Frondell said Friday of being drafted. “I’m still shocked. It was a blackout when I heard my name.
“Now I finally have a new favorite NHL team and I’m happy to be here.”
In 2023-24, at the junior level, Frondell averaged more than a point per game: 39 points (18 and 21 assists) in 29 games.
Former NHL scouting executive and SportsNet analyst Jason Bukala said Frondell — listed at 6-foot-1 and 198 pounds by NHL Central Scouting — looked better against the pros than his own peer group.
“Listen, this guy could play the center, he can play the wing, he’s arguably the best shooter from the flank on the power play in the entire draft class,” he said. “He absolutely rips pucks, so I really like Frondell a lot.”
NHL Central Scouting regards Frondell as a skilled player with strong legs and a quick stick.
“(He) has a nifty wrist shot and his release is solid and accurate. His hockey IQ shines with intelligent moves, with or without the puck. Likes to set up teammates using small moves and tricky passes.”
Fans, including Doug Michaels, center, and mascot Tommy Hawk, react after the Chicago Blackhawks selected Swedish forward Anton Frondell with the No. 3 pick the 2025 NHL draft on Friday, June 27, 2025. The fans were watching from the official team draft party at Recess in Chicago. (Chris Sweda/Chicago Tribune)
Fans, including Doug Michaels, react after the Chicago Blackhawks selected Swedish forward Anton Frondell with the No. 3 pick the 2025 NHL draft on Friday, June 27, 2025. The fans were watching from the official team draft party at Recess in Chicago. (Chris Sweda/Chicago Tribune)
Cullen Foley takes a selfie with Chicago Blackhawks mascot Tommy Hawk as fans attend the team’s NHL draft watch party at Recess in Chicago on Friday, June 27, 2025. (Chris Sweda/Chicago Tribune)
Rich Marcinkiewicz takes a selfie with Chicago Blackhawks mascot Tommy Hawk as fans attend the team’s NHL draft watch party at Recess in Chicago on Friday, June 27, 2025. (Chris Sweda/Chicago Tribune)
An image of Anton Frondell receiving a hug after being selected by the Chicago Blackhawks with the No. 3 pick in the 2025 NHL draft is cast on a screen at a Blackhawks draft watch party at Recess in Chicago on Friday, June 27, 2025. (Chris Sweda/Chicago Tribune)
An image of a smiling Anton Frondell is cast on a screen after Frondell was selected by the Chicago Blackhawks with the No. 3 pick in the 2025 NHL draft on Friday, June 27, 2025. Hawks fans were watching the action at the official draft party at Recess in Chicago. (Chris Sweda/Chicago Tribune)
Chicago Blackhawks television broadcasters Rick Ball and Darren Pang offer commentary after the team selected Anton Frondell with the No. 3 pick in the 2025 NHL draft on Friday, June 27, 2025. The broadcasters were part of the festivities at the team’s official draft watch party at Recess in Chicago. (Chris Sweda/Chicago Tribune)
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Fans, including Doug Michaels, center, and mascot Tommy Hawk, react after the Chicago Blackhawks selected Swedish forward Anton Frondell with the No. 3 pick the 2025 NHL draft on Friday, June 27, 2025. The fans were watching from the official team draft party at Recess in Chicago. (Chris Sweda/Chicago Tribune)
During a live broadcast on ESPN, Frondell, at the draft site in Los Angeles, told Hawks general manager Kyle Davidson and his staff, who stayed in Chicago, “Thank you guys. Thank you for believing in me.”I’m shocked. I’m excited.”
When asked by ESPN’s Leah Hextall what makes Frondell the right fit for Chicago, Davidson said, “He’s an incredible player. It was great to get to know him throughout the year and then at the combine, and he’s a great person, but he’s an excellent complement to what we’ve got here in Chicago, and I think he’s going to really help us in building those next great Blackhawks teams.”
Then Frondell was asked, “What is that like to hear?” leading to his first funny and iconic moment as a Hawk.
“Fine. Cool,” he deadpanned.
During ESPN’s broadcast, Frondell reminisced about his parents getting him into hockey at 5 years old and buying his first skates.
Pink figure skates.
“It was the first time I stepped on the ice,” he said. “Dad just found some pink figure skating skates. I actually skated with them for a year until he (found) out, (and said) ‘Oh, Anton, he loves the sport. He wants this.’
“Then he bought me my real first skates. He really wanted me to be a tennis player when I was younger. But I didn’t fall for the sport.”
Anton Frondell poses on the red carpet before the first round of the 2025 NHL Draft on Friday, June 27, 2025 in Los Angeles. (Bruce Bennett/Getty Images)
This is the same kid who now fashions himself scorer/bruiser in the mold of Aleksander Barkov, the Florida Panthers’ all-time leading scorer and — as of last week — a back-to-back Stanley Cup champion.
“I have good size,” Frondell said. “I know how to use my body when I have the puck. I like to play both offensive and defensive.”
He had a plus-9 rating at the junior level, but improved to plus-11 when he bumped up to the Swedish second-tier men’s league, HockeyAllsvenskan.
“It’s important to score but more important to not let in any goals,” Frondell said.
Coincidentally, last week the Hawks acquired former Seattle Kraken forward André Burakovsky, who grew up in Malmö, Sweden.
In other Swedish connections, Anders Sörensen, last season’s interim head coach, remains on staff as an assistant, and the roster includes Arvid Söderblom.
The Hawks also have the No. 25 pick in the first round of the draft. Subsequent rounds will be drafted on Saturday.
Originally Published: June 27, 2025 at 8:15 PM CDT