| Philip Granath | Frolunda | SHL | R | F | 5’7″ | 159 | Asker | 2002 | 2020-2021: C |
Neutral Zone NHL’s Ian Moran’s comments, June 2021: Granath’s size is obviously going to work against him playing in the National League but his quickness, brains and high compete are going to NHL eyes on him leading up to the draft. At his size you’d think he’s just a power play specialist or an opportunist, but in reality he’s smart as they come when it comes to taking angles and using his stick to take away passing lanes… which makes him an incredibly useful killer. I don’t think he gets drafted, but he could get development camp invites down the road.
Neutral Zone’s Ed Besinger, May 2021: Smaller Norwegian right winger that stands 5’7’’ and 167 pounds. The right-shot is a late 2002 and played this past season for Frolunda in both the J20 and SHL. He scored 22 points in 19 games in the J20. He is scheduled to play for Rogle BK in the J20 next season. He is a smaller forward that is light on his feet. He has quick feet and reacts to changes in possession quickly. Takes good angles pressuring the puck. He has good hands and can make plays in tight. He changes pace well, especially in transition to buy himself time and space. On zone entries he is patient and skates to open ice. He looks to create mismatches and odd-man rushes and then feeds touch passes through traffic. He can be used in all situations and is very effective on the penalty kill. He is smart and sees the ice well. Doesn’t try and force plays and puts the puck in good areas for his teammates. He separates well and handles the puck well at speed. Will need to get stronger so he doesn’t get knocked off the puck so easily. Skilled player that will score points.
HockeyEttan: Hanhals IF vs Kallinge-Ronneby IF, January 2021: Granath was used in all game situations tonight, but had his biggest impact while on the penalty kill where his elite acceleration and agility were on full display. His active stick allowed him to play much larger than his listed 5’7″. Granath played in straight lines and his ice awareness allowed him to maintain shooting lanes therefore taking away multiple one-timer opportunities. Again his quickness and agility are great assets, but we feel his high compete and willingness to put the team’s success first will allow him to play hockey for a long time.
SHL: Frolunda vs Malmo, December 2020: As far as we can tell this was Granath’s first Swedish Elite League game. He was used as an extra forward, but he certainly did not look out of place.
J20 SuperElit: Frolunda U20 vs Orebro U20, September 2020: Granath is an undersized forward with a high compete level. He showed quickness and exceptional edge control while being the puck carrier or while chasing down an opponent as an F1. He looked to stretch the zone during transition and turn most offensive situations into a fast break. Although small in stature Granath worked the goal line on the power play where his awareness and anticipation allowed him to find both the back door and bumper with one touch passes.