Finnish forward Henrik Borgstrom, the Florida Panthers’ first-round selection in last month’s NHL draft, spent the past week in Denver, getting his first look at the city since pledging over the phone to play for the University of Denver.
The 18-year-old, whose large, outgoing personality matches his 6-foot-3 frame, was impressed with the DU campus and enjoyed Xbox competitions and nightly barbecues. “I love it here,” he said.
Borgstrom chose DU over Boston University, Wisconsin and Minnesota-Duluth. The NHL’s No. 23 overall draft pick will enroll at DU in September and likely center the Pioneers’ No. 1 line.
“I really got the feeling everyone really liked me here,” Borgstrom said. “They wanted me, and when I see all the pictures of the school and how the team has played the last couple seasons, it helped me decide. In the end, it was a easy choice.”
Borgstrom is DU’s fourth first-round NHL draft pick in program history and its first since winger Beau Bennett went 23rd to Pittsburgh in 2010. The others: defenseman Craig Redmond (sixth overall, Los Angeles, 1984) and forward Joe Colborne (16th, Boston, 2008). Since 2008, the Pioneers have had six second-rounders, including sophomore-to-be forward Dylan Gambrell, who went 60th overall to San Jose last month.
First-round draft choices usually have a shortened college career. Colborne and Bennett played two years at DU before signing their NHL entry-level contracts.
“Every kid is different. But most first-rounders, they aren’t going to graduate. We understand that,” said DU associate head coach David Carle. “With where Henrik is developmentally, I think he’s at least a two-year player and maybe a three-year player.”
Carle flew to Finland last October to recruit Borgstrom. The young center’s commitment to DU came without a recruiting visit, but with those face-to-face discussions and considerable communication.
Borgstrom wants to bulk up with the help of DU strength coach Matt Shaw. He said he partly chose the college route because he wants to spend more time training — practicing and lifting weights — than playing games. Because of that, he declined offers to turn pro in Finland or play in the Canadian Hockey League’s major junior system.
“Coach Shaw, I hear a lot about him,” Borgstrom said. “I hear every guy here gets bigger and stronger.”
Borgstrom was among four Finns drafted in the first round last month. Three of his countrymen — forwards Patrik Laine and Jesse Puljujarvi and defenseman Olli Juolevi — were among the first five picks, by Winnipeg, Edmonton and Vancouver, respectively.
“We all know each other really well. It was a great feeling,” said Borgstrom.
Carle said Borgstrom will fit in well at DU, possibly replacing departed sophomore star Danton Heinen, who signed with the Boston Bruins in April, on a line with Trevor Moore and Gambrell. Gambrell, who might move to right wing.
“His personality is infectious,” Carle said of Borgstrom. “He’s met a few people here on campus, a lot of his teammates, and everybody speaks really highly of him. That hasn’t been a surprise.”.