By Warren K0zireski — As is the case with many sports, first round draft picks get the attention and ink while the rest (in hockey’s case six more rounds) attempt to move up the ladder in relative obscurity.
Enter Buffalo Sabres 2017 second round draft pick Marcus Davidsson.
Selected just six spots out of the first round (37th overall), the center made Team Sweden for the 2018 IIHF Under-20 World Junior tournament and scored in his second game—a 3-1 win over Team Czech Republic.
“It is an honor and it means a lot to me,” Davidsson said about representing his country. “I just try to do my best once I step on the ice, try to be in the opponents face, skate a lot and use my strengths. It was very nice to score in the second game; it gives me confidence.”
The just-turned 19 year old in November was seeing penalty kill unit minutes during the tournament and is known as a quick, two-way forward. At 6’0”, 192 lb. already, he is well on his way into developing into a physical center.
“I think I have developed my game a lot lately. It means a lot to play with the men back at home in Sweden, so I think I have improved a lot and taken it to the next level.”
Davidsson is in his second full season with Djurgardens where this season he had two goals with seven assists over 23 games before departing for the World Junior tournament.
He was one of the last cuts one year ago for the tournament, but used that as a motivator.
“I think I did, but I just try to develop my game, try to get better every day and good things will happen. I work on everything, but especially my shooting and skating because you can become a big threat in the future.”
(NHL.com Photo)
