Bergqvist rose from under-the-radar seventh-round pick to breakout prospect this season.
As the season wrapped up, Rasmus Bergqvist stood with a silver medal — not the gold he’d hoped for, but still a symbol of a breakout year that surpassed all expectations.
When the Montreal Canadiens drafted him with the second-to-last pick in the 2024 NHL Draft, few saw much promise. Most attention at development camp was focused on fellow Swede Alexander Zetterberg. But now, Bergqvist has earned his spotlight.
Early injuries at Skellefteå AIK gave Bergqvist a shot in the SHL lineup. He grabbed the opportunity, showing reliable defensive play and strong chemistry with Axel Sandin-Pellikka. His physical edge fit well with his defensive role, though it did lead to a two-game suspension in October for an overzealous net-front battle.
Despite that misstep, Bergqvist’s stock rose. He impressed at the Four Nations tournament and cracked Sweden’s World Juniors roster, even scoring the team’s first goal of the tournament while playing on the top pair. Though Sweden missed out on a medal, Bergqvist left a strong impression.
As the SHL roster got healthy, he saw a brief stint in HockeyAllsvenskan before finishing the year with Skellefteå’s U20 squad, helping them to a playoff silver. His defensive IQ, toughness, and ability to read the game stood out — and he quietly showed signs of offensive upside when joining the cycle.
Still, areas for improvement remain. His shot lacks impact, and he’ll need to refine his breakout passes and zone exits, especially without Sandin-Pellikka next season. Bergqvist must also learn to better harness his physicality — being aggressive, but smart.
Grade: A
No one expected this much from the 2024 draft’s penultimate pick. Making Sweden’s WJC squad and logging regular SHL minutes make his season a success. More growth is needed, but Bergqvist has positioned himself as a serious long-term prospect — a remarkable leap from where he started.
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