Prospect Top 20: Winger Max Friberg
This is part 9 of my Prospect File series where I update you guys’ on Hockey’s Future’s Top 20 Anaheim Ducks prospects. This will be a daily series that will hopefully end before the 2013 NHL Entry Draft. I will also be doing a series on possible players the Ducks will take with their first round pick. Part 8 was on defenseman Andrew Welinski. So, next up in part 9 is #12 on HF’s Top 20, winger Max Friberg.
EDMONTON, AB. DECEMBER 23, 2011 – Mark Visentin of Team Canada allows the fourth goal in the second period as Max Friberg of Team Sweden celebrates at the 2012 IIHF World Junior Championships at Rexall Place in Edmonton. (SHAUGHN BUTTS/EDMONTON JOURNAL)
The Anaheim Ducks selected the young Swede in the fifth round of the 2011 NHL Entry Draft. Max Friberg burst onto the scene in the 2011 WJC when he scored 9 goals and 2 assists for 11 points in 6 games. He totaled 15 goals and 11 assists for 26 points in 16 games for Sweden Junior Team. He has really played well in the Swedish junior leagues, but this past year was his first full year in the Swedish Elite League and his production really dropped off. In 55 games for Timra, Friberg tallied 8 goals and 8 assists for 16 points and was a -10. He has one of the highest work ethics of all Ducks prospects. He is a grinding two-way player who is relentless on the forecheck and strong along the boards. Friberg joined the Admirals very late in the season and played in 6 games, registering a goal. Hopefully, Friberg will start next year with Norfolk and be able to stick there for the year. He has potential to be an NHL-caliber forward, but his future will shape largely around how he plays next season, if its with Norfolk.
via ducks.nhl.com
Age: 20
Position: Left Wing
Shoots: Right
Height: 5’11”
Weight: 194 lbs.
Scouting Report:
“Another Swedish import, Friberg has been honing his skills in the junior levels of Sweden since his draft, but this year was finally able to crack into the Elitserien. Friberg took the important step from playing against junior players to matching up against grown men. While his numbers were not exactly impressive, with 16 points and a minus-10 rating in 55 games, Friberg took a step in a good direction. He joined up with Norfolk of the AHL at the end of the year, and that is likely where he will be next season. Next year will be big for the 5’10 Swede as his first taste of North American hockey could make his stock rise or fall significantly.Friberg has established himself as an early candidate for the biggest steal in the 2011 draft as the 143rd overall pick shined at the World Juniors. He led Sweden in scoring en route to the gold medal and showed a good deal of physical maturity as well. He has explosive offensive potential but does not shy away from the physical game or neglect his responsibilities on defense.Though he was the last of three Swedes selected by Anaheim, Friberg may be the most promising and the quickest to arrive in the NHL. He projects as a top-six forward with excellent ability to change speeds, relentlessness on the fore-check, sufficient strength and a very well-rounded game.”via HockeysFuture.com“Friberg is a strong and speedy winger with excellent work-ethics and a great attitude. A true team player that skates and forechecks hard. Two-way player that does not mind playing physical and is strong along the boards. Decent productivity and creativity, making him more than just a role player.”via EliteProspects.com
Next up in the series will be center Steven Whitney.
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