Edmonton Oilers sign NCAA free agent Carl Berglund to two-year, entry-level contract
By Zach Laing
8 months agoThe Edmonton Oilers have signed NCAA free agent forward Carl Berglund to a two-year, entry-level contract, the club announced Wednesday.
Berglund, 23, spent his last four seasons at UMass-Lowell scoring 36 goals and 89 points in 114 games. He captained the team this past season and was a nominee for the Hobey Baker award as the nation’s top player. Studying business, Berglund was a three-time Hockey East All-Academic Team selection.
Hailing from Hammarö, Sweden, the 6’2, 194 lb. left-shot C will report to the AHL’s Bakersfield Condors on an amateur tryout with his entry-level deal kicking in next season. He grew up playing in the Färjestad BK system in Sweden, and joined the USHL’s Sioux Falls Stampede in 2018-19.
“We are really excited to learn Carl is signing with Edmonton. He has been nothing short of terrific during his time here. From the time he set foot on campus, he has been an offensive catalyst while being a great teammate,” UMass-Lowell Riverhawks head coach Norm Bazin said in a statement. “He grew as a person and as a player and saved his best two-way play for his senior year as one of our two captains. We wish him well as he starts his professional career.”
“Berglund’s accuracy on attack made him a versatile skater for UMass Lowell, serving as a regular on the team’s power play during his tenure,” the Riverhawks added in a statement.
I tapped into Daily Faceoff prospect guru Steven Ellis, who had this to say about Berglund:
Berglund is a skilled 200-foot forward that I’m surprised didn’t get picked back in 2020, even as a late-round pick. He has good size, reliable in his own zone and moves well. We didn’t see huge progression throughout his college career, but his frame and defensive play should be enough to earn a call-up somewhere down the line.
Zach Laing is the Nation Network’s news director and senior columnist. He can be followed on Twitter at @zjlaing, or reached by email at zach@oilersnation.com.
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