TORONTO – William Eklund, the top-ranked International skater for the 2021 NHL Draft™, has been presented the E.J. McGuire Award of Excellence, the National Hockey League announced today.
First awarded in 2015, the E.J. McGuire Award of Excellence is presented annually by the League to a candidate who best exemplifies commitment to excellence through strength of character, competitiveness and athleticism.
The Stockholm, Swe., native spent the entire 2020-21 season in the Swedish Hockey League where he tied for second on Djurgarden in goals as an 18-year-old (11-12—23 in 40 GP) and was named the SHL Rookie of the Year.
“William Eklund is being presented with the E.J. McGuire award as he distinctly exemplifies the skills and attributes the award recognizes,” said Dan Marr, Director of NHL Central Scouting. “He is a highly skilled prospect who plays the game with a drive and determination that earned him SHL Rookie of the Year while playing a prominent role with Djurgarden. This season, William missed time with illness and an injury costing him the opportunity to play for Sweden at the World Juniors, yet he persevered through these setbacks and always came back stronger and more determined displaying his trademark competitive will to win.”
Marr, alongside former NHL player, Michael Holmqvist, presented Eklund with an engraved crystal on Sunday, July 4, 2021. For more information on Eklund click here.
The first round of the 2021 NHL Draft™ will be broadcast on Friday, July 23, at 8 p.m. ET on ESPN2 in the U.S. and Sportsnet, SN NOW and TVA in Canada, live from the NHL Network™ studios in Secaucus, N.J. Rounds 2-7 will air on NHL Network in the U.S. and on Sportsnet, SN NOW in Canada on Saturday, July 24 at 11 a.m. ET.
The National Hockey League will host a media availability with top-ranked prospects for the 2021 NHL Draft on Tuesday, July 6, beginning at 4 p.m. ET.
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