By Warren Kozireski —
R.P.I. freshman defenseman and New York Rangers sixth round draft pick Simon Kjellberg was born in Nashville, TN while his father was playing in his second season for the expansion Nashville Predators, but was raised on the hockey rinks of his family’s native Finland.
Kjellberg was one of six blueliners the Rangers selected in his draft year as they began the rebuild of their blueline.
The 6’3”, 190 lb. left shot is off to great start to his collegiate career with a personal record five goals with six assists while playing in 28 games—all but two for the Engineers—heading into the final weekend of the regular season.
“October was hot (named ECAC Rookie of the Month for October), so just trying to keep building on how I started always trying to be better every game, but so far I think it’s been really good,” Kjellberg said in mid-February. “I think I’ve taken a step in my development.
“I think it’s a lot of confidence with the puck and without it. And I always try to get better with my skating and shooting, but confidence has been the biggest part.
“Usually I try to be both offense and defense and I try to be responsible in every zone. I try to contribute offensively, but try to stay stable in my defensive zone as well.”
The rookie is one of three freshmen on the Engineers blueline along with two other sophomores.
After multiple years developing in Sweden, Kjellberg came to North America last season to play in the USHL with Dubuque to get used to the smaller rink sizes and style of play and that has helped him with his adjustment to Division I hockey.
“I didn’t want to play another year in the Swedish junior league; I wanted to come over and try the smaller rink and it’s faster. I wanted to play college hockey, obviously, that’s the main reason.
“I hadn’t really talked to any college before I came over, so RPI wanted me and I really like the coaching staff and how they run it.”
His father, Patrick, played 394 games over five NHL seasons with Nashville, Anaheim and Montreal, so the Rangers hope that the bloodlines translate into a sixth-round steal.
He netted his first collegiate goal Oct. 12 versus UConn and is on the second power play unit for the Engineers where he had one of the team’s 18 power play goals as of Feb. 21. His skating and reach with a 6’3” frame are assets.
Kjellberg’s mindset is a pro career, but he seems very mindful of not rushing toward that goal, especially with the depth the organization has already at the position.
“I heard from my agent that there was a little bit of interest (in being drafted), so I was watching it on TV and when I heard my name it was very, very exciting. Just getting drafted was amazing; it doesn’t really matter where I was drafted.
“They (the Rangers) have a really deep d-corps from the draft and things like that, so I have to take my time here for four years of college and developing my game and see how far it goes. We’ll see how fast my development goes, but when I make the jump, I want to be ready so however long that takes.”
