| Noah Ostlund | Djurgardens | SHL | L | F | 5’11” | 163 | Djurgardens | Nykvarn | 2004 | 2021-2022: A |
U18: Team Sweden vs Team Finland, April 26, 2022: Ostlund is a high compete high motor center with the skating ability and puck skills to make an impact in all three zones. In this game we liked his willingness to attack the middle of the ice as the puck carrier. It seemed like every time he was the puck carrier Ostlund got off the wall with his eyes up looking to make a play. On his power play primary helper he cleanly received pass in traffic before he attacked through the face-off dot lane. He then deceptively looked back door only to put a pass right on the tape of the second wave of attack coming down the high slot. The impressive part about it was his clean first touch allowed him to make the play without stickhandling. His bowlegged skating base allowed him to be very quick laterally and to have an explosive cross-under when coming out of power turns. As he only went 11 for 25 in the face-off circle, we do feel that to play in the NHL as a highly skilled center he will need to continue gaining upper body strength.
Noah Ostlund: A talented Swede to keep an eye on, November 10, 2021: Ostlund is a top prospect out of Sweden who currently plays for Djurgadens IF J20 in the J20 Nationell. The five-foot-10 centerman is a highly-skilled, two-way forward who excels at both ends of the ice. He possesses strong skating abilities, with good acceleration and agility, combined with overall solid puck-handling skills. He can be a suitable power play and penalty kill option, as he can make smart passes, and also pressure and interrupt the opposition. Ostlund’s game is very well-rounded which is definitely eye-catching. Another thing to like about him is that he always keeps his feet moving. That is a very important skill to have and he does it well. Potential NHL organizations might be worried about his size, but does that really matter anymore? Ostlund doesn’t seem to notice, as he plays every shift with energy and high compete. (Clare McManus).
Hlinka Gretzky Cup: U18 Team Sweden vs Team Finland, August 7, 2021: In Team Sweden’s 4-3 win Ostlund earned 19:48 in total ice time, including 1:55 while on the power play and 1:36 while short handed. Statistically he finished with zero points, an even plus / minus rating, 3 shots on goal, 1 grade “A” scoring opportunity, won 9 of 27 face-offs, had 2 hits, 1 blocked shot and 2 giveaways versus 5 take aways. Ostlund was constantly around the action looking to create transition or generate scoring opportunities. In the offensive zone he used his wide powerful skating base and smooth first touch to generate shots off the pass. His shots were not traditional one-timers, but instead were sweeping wristers that seemingly gave the Finnish goalie little time to react to. One thing to note, he chose to shoot high glove every time and although his shots were released quickly they did not produce any rebounds or secondary scoring opportunities.
Hlinka Gretzky Cup: U18 Team Sweden vs Team USA, August 3, 2021: In Team Sweden’s 5-3 win Ostlund earned a game high 21:11 in total ice time, including 3:28 while on the power play and and 0:43 while short handed. Statistically he finished with zero points, was plus 2, had 1 shot on goal, 3 grade “A” scoring chances, won an incredible 22 of 28 face-offs, had 1 hit and 8 giveaways versus 2 takeaways. Ostlund was the driving force for Team Sweden. He never took a shift off and he demanded to have the puck on his stick. He was tactical a magician on zone entries and showed the skill set to tease the USA defender’s into mental and physical mistakes. It was obvious from the first shift that his opponents knew who he was and they respected his ability to play high pace elusive hockey. Ostlund’s deep knee bend and almost bow legged skating style allows him to stop on a dime and then explosively cross-under so he’s back to full speed in one quick outside edge thrust. Defensively he stopped on pucks, won 50-50 battles and started transition on every shift. He played with his eyes up and was a threat to produce offense from all three zones.
Photo Credit: Dan Hickling/Hickling Images
Stats provided by InStat