The 2024-25 J20 Nationell season kicked off on Friday with considerable excitement, highlighted by the performance of Vancouver Canucks prospect Melvin Fernstrom. Drafted by the Canucks in the third round last June, Fernstrom aimed to build on his impressive previous season, during which he amassed 63 points in 45 games. He wasted no time making an impact.
In Orebro HK J20’s opening game against Vaxjo, Fernstrom scored a goal and added an assist, contributing to his team’s 2-1 victory. The following day, during an early match against Vaxjo, Fernstrom continued his standout performance. With the game tied in overtime and Orebro HK J20 on a power play, Fernstrom positioned himself at the edge of the circle and delivered a decisive one-timer past the Vaxjo goaltender. This goal secured a 2-1 overtime win for Orebro HK J20 and marked their second consecutive victory of the season.
If Fernstrom maintains this high level of play, he could earn a spot on Orebro HK’s roster in the Swedish Hockey League (SHL) in the near future, which would be a significant boost for the 18-year-old’s development. While excelling in a junior league is a commendable achievement, the Vancouver Canucks would likely prefer to see him gain experience in a more competitive environment. This could involve playing in the SHL with Orebro HK or potentially being loaned to a team in Hockey Allsvenskan, the Swedish second division.
Orebro HK J20’s next game is scheduled for Sunday at 6:30 am ET/3:30 am PT, where they will face the Malmo Redhawks J20. Fernstrom will aim to extend his scoring streak to three games and demonstrate to the Orebro HK organization that he is ready for a full-time professional role.
