#54– Theodor Knights
Video Scouting: October 12, 2025 – Leksands J20 vs MODO J20 (4–1)
Team: MODO Hockey J20 (Sweden)
Height/Weight: 185 cm / 83 kg (6’1″ / 183 lbs)
Shoots: Left
DOB: 2007
Theodor Knights played a composed and disciplined game on the back end, standing out as one of MODO’s most reliable defensemen despite the team’s overall struggles. From the opening shift, he displayed calm decision-making and a steady presence under pressure. He reads the game at a mature pace, rarely forcing plays or panicking when forechecked. His poise in retrievals and ability to find controlled exits through short, precise passes are key parts of his value as a modern two-way defender.
Knights moves efficiently on his edges, showing smooth mobility in both lateral and backward skating. His gap control through the neutral zone was strong throughout the game — he maintained appropriate spacing, steered opposing forwards wide, and relied on body positioning rather than overextending for poke checks. In one-on-one situations, he was patient and timed his stick effectively to disrupt entries without taking penalties. While not overly aggressive physically, he uses his frame well to close off lanes and protect the inside.
With the puck, Knights showed confidence carrying it out of his own zone and joining the rush in support. He doesn’t force high-risk plays, instead favoring smart outlet passes that enable clean transitions. At the offensive blue line, he walked the line fluidly to open shooting lanes and maintained puck possession under pressure. Though not a dynamic offensive defenseman, he consistently made subtle but effective plays to sustain offensive-zone pressure, often finding the weak side with low, accurate passes.
Defensively, Knights displayed excellent positioning below the dots and maintained strong awareness of threats around the net. His stick was active and effective in cutting off passing lanes, and he remained square to shooters. He communicated well with his defensive partner, keeping defensive structure intact when plays broke down. When pressured deep in the defensive zone, he consistently took smart angles to the puck and absorbed contact effectively to make a play.
There are still areas that could enhance his overall impact. He could occasionally play with more urgency in transition — while his calmness is a strength, he sometimes needs to move the puck faster to avoid being caught by an aggressive forecheck. Adding a bit more physical assertiveness could also make him tougher to play against in net-front battles and along the boards. His point shot, while accurate, would benefit from a quicker release and more power to create rebound and deflection opportunities.
Overall, Theodor Knights demonstrated strong hockey sense, balance, and maturity in his defensive game. He’s the type of defenseman who quietly does the right things shift after shift — efficient, composed, and dependable. His skating and awareness give him a solid foundation to play in all situations, and with continued strength development and added pace in his decision-making, he projects as a well-rounded two-way defenseman at the pro level. His ceiling is that of a steady top-four defender capable of logging reliable minutes and contributing on both sides of special teams. His floor is that of a dependable depth defenseman who anchors a pairing through stability and smart play.
Projection: A strong candidate for a third-round selection in the 2026 Draft.
#16 – C Adam Andersson
Video Scouting: October 12, 2025 – Leksands J20 vs MODO J20 (4–1)
Team: Leksands IF J20 (Sweden)
Height/Weight: 183 cm / 80 kg (6’0″ / 176 lbs)
Shoots: Left
DOB: 2008
Adam Andersson is a young, intelligent two-way center with a calm and composed presence that stands out for a 2008-born player. Centering Leksands IF J20, he demonstrates a mature understanding of structure and responsibility in all three zones. In this viewing, he served as a steadying influence on his line, consistently supporting the puck, anticipating play development, and helping his team maintain possession through smart positioning and quick reads.
He plays a low-maintenance, detail-oriented game built on awareness and timing rather than flash. Defensively, Andersson shows strong commitment and discipline. He tracks back effectively, supports his defensemen deep in the zone, and closes space without overextending. His stick positioning and body control are already advanced for his age, allowing him to disrupt plays and force turnovers. He communicates well on the ice, keeping his wingers organized and engaged in both transition and defensive coverage.
With the puck, Andersson displays patience and intelligence. He doesn’t force plays or overhandle; instead, he moves the puck efficiently to open options and sustains offensive flow. He has a natural feel for spacing, finding soft areas between defenders and presenting himself as a reliable passing target. On zone entries, he prefers control over dump-and-chase sequences, using clean touches to establish extended possession. His offensive instincts are understated but steady — he knows when to press, when to delay, and when to cycle.
Areas for further development include his first-step acceleration and willingness to take initiative offensively. His skating stride is smooth and balanced, but adding explosiveness would help him separate from defenders and drive transitions with greater pace. While his shooting mechanics are solid, he could benefit from a quicker, more deceptive release to strengthen his scoring threat. Occasionally, he plays too conservatively, defaulting to safe options rather than challenging defenders or holding onto the puck to create. As his confidence grows, greater assertiveness should add another layer to his offensive impact. Physically, he is still growing into his frame, and added strength will help him handle contact and protect pucks more effectively at higher levels.
Long term, Andersson projects as a reliable two-way center capable of anchoring a line through consistency and intelligence. He plays the type of game coaches trust — structured, detail-oriented, and team-first. If his skating pop and offensive confidence continue to progress, he could evolve into a middle-six center who contributes in all situations. His ceiling projects as a responsible, matchup-capable forward who provides secondary offense and leadership value, while his floor lies as a dependable pro-level center defined by work ethic, defensive awareness, and smart positioning.
He is not a natural power-play quarterback, but he fits well as a supporting bumper or net-front option thanks to his awareness and quick reads. On special teams, he profiles strongly as a penalty killer — his anticipation, active stick, and discipline allow him to read lanes effectively and apply intelligent pressure.
Overall, Andersson’s game is defined by hockey sense and attention to detail. As he matures physically and adds more burst to his skating, his influence should continue to grow. He may never be a highlight producer, but he’s the type of player who elevates the performance of those around him. Andersson should remain a name to monitor closely for the 2026–2027 draft range, with potential to rise as he adds strength and assertiveness to his already polished foundation.
#71 – D Elton Hermansson
Video Scouting: October 12, 2025 – Leksands J20 vs MODO J20 (4–1)
Team: MODO Hockey J20 (Sweden)
Height/Weight: 186 cm / 82 kg (6’1″ / 181 lbs)
Shoots: Left
DOB: 2008
Elton Hermansson is a composed, puck-moving defenseman who plays with poise and intelligence beyond his years. He combines size, balance, and control to impact the game at both ends of the ice. A left-shot defender, Hermansson exhibits the foundation of a modern two-way defenseman — calm under pressure, efficient with the puck, and dependable within defensive structure.
In this viewing, Hermansson was a steadying presence on the back end. He reads the game exceptionally well and rarely appears rushed, even under heavy forecheck pressure. His puck retrievals are confident and methodical — he shoulder-checks before collecting the puck, identifies outlets early, and delivers crisp first passes that set up clean transitions. When carrying the puck, he shows patience and timing, advancing play through controlled exits rather than risky stretch passes. His decision-making in motion is impressive; he consistently judges when to jump into the play and when to hold his position as a safety valve.
Defensively, Hermansson’s positioning is a standout feature. He maintains tight gap control through the neutral zone and uses an active stick to steer opponents wide. He relies more on body positioning and smart angles than raw physicality, though he can engage effectively when necessary. Around the net, he stays composed, tracking sticks and neutralizing threats without overcommitting. His defensive-zone reads are sharp, and he maintains strong communication with his partner to preserve structure.
Offensively, Hermansson isn’t a high-risk creator but shows strong instincts from the blue line. He moves laterally with composure to open shooting lanes and consistently gets pucks through traffic. His vision allows him to make timely passes into dangerous areas, and he shows good awareness of spacing, particularly on the power play. While not a dynamic offensive catalyst, he contributes positively by maintaining possession and keeping plays alive in the offensive zone.
Areas for improvement focus primarily on pace and assertiveness. His short-burst acceleration could use refinement — a quicker first step would help him recover on turnovers and activate more effectively off the rush. At times, he plays a bit too safely, defaulting to low-risk outlet passes when he has room to advance the play himself. Developing more confidence to push through the neutral zone would enhance his transition game. Physically, he could benefit from greater assertiveness in one-on-one battles, using his size more consistently to separate opponents from the puck.
Long term, Hermansson projects as a steady, two-way defenseman capable of handling significant minutes within a structured system. His calm demeanor, puck management, and reliability give him strong pro-level potential. While he may not project as a high-end offensive producer, his efficiency and stability make him a player coaches will trust in all situations.
His ceiling profiles as a top-four defenseman who can log special teams minutes and provide stability in transition, while his floor sits as a dependable, defense-first blue-liner who anchors a pairing through smart, low-risk play. He’s better suited as a complementary presence rather than a primary power-play quarterback, excelling in secondary PP duties where his composure and concise puck movement sustain flow.
On special teams, Hermansson already demonstrates the instincts of a future penalty killer — reading plays early, blocking lanes efficiently, and maintaining disciplined positioning. On the power play, he operates effectively as a distributor or safety option at the blue line, keeping the unit organized and under control.
Overall, Hermansson’s game is defined by intelligence, calmness, and reliability. His composure under pressure and spatial awareness with the puck are high-end traits. With added explosiveness and physical assertiveness, he has the tools to develop into a well-rounded, dependable defenseman at the professional level. He should be viewed as a legitimate 2026 draft candidate in the late 1st- to early 2nd-round range.
#9 – RW Jonas Lagerberg Hoen
Video Scouting: October 12, 2025 – Leksands J20 vs MODO J20 (4–1)
Team: Leksands IF J20 (Sweden)
Height/Weight: 187 cm / 80 kg (6’2″ / 176 lbs)
Shoots: Right
DOB: October 24, 2007
Jonas Lagerberg Hoen profiles as a confident, shoot-first right winger with good size and a natural goal scorer’s mindset. In this viewing, he consistently positioned himself in prime scoring areas and showed a willingness to attack from the hash marks inward. His release is compact and heavy, and he wastes little time getting pucks on net. He plays with intent — finishing shifts with purpose and a visible competitive edge.
He engages physically and doesn’t hesitate to lean on defenders during forechecks. Lagerberg Hoen uses his frame effectively to protect pucks along the wall, though he can occasionally force plays or rely too heavily on his shot instead of scanning for passing options. His approach is direct: win possession, drive the middle, and shoot.
Without the puck, he applies active stick pressure and demonstrates a good grasp of offensive-zone spacing. His reads in transition are still developing; he sometimes pushes play north ahead of the puck carrier. When he keeps his feet moving, his stride length and balance through contact make him difficult to contain.
He would benefit from incorporating teammates more consistently — he can tunnel toward the net when simpler distribution options exist. Defensively, his backcheck pace fluctuates, and he can improve on gap coverage and shoulder checks in his own zone.
Lagerberg Hoen has above-average stride power but could strengthen his first-step acceleration and lateral agility. He occasionally rushes plays under pressure, and improved composure during retrievals and exits will be key as he matures.
Overall, he profiles as a modern, goal-oriented winger with power elements. With continued development, he could emerge as a middle-six forward who brings secondary scoring and energy. The offensive tools are evident; his challenge will be refining the details that sustain effectiveness when he’s not finishing plays.
He projects as a middle-six scoring winger capable of contributing on the power play and providing depth offense within a competitive lineup. While not a natural power-play quarterback, he fits naturally as a flank shooter or net-front bumper option. He finds soft ice well and can capitalize on rebounds or cross-ice passes. On the penalty kill, he remains a work in progress, still developing the defensive consistency and anticipation required for regular PK duty.
Lagerberg Hoen’s offensive identity is defined by his goal-scoring instinct and willingness to attack the interior. As he continues refining his skating, reads, and puck distribution, he projects as a player who can drive offense primarily through finishing ability rather than playmaking. Growth in his off-puck habits will determine how well his scoring touch translates at higher levels.
Projection: Mid-to-late round NHL Draft selection (4th–7th round range). Possesses clear goal-scoring tools and a pro-ready frame. Advancement in pace, awareness, and two-way refinement will decide his long-term ceiling.