European players vary in their predraft paths, as some come over early and play pre-draft hockey in various North American amateur paths from CHL, USHL, and even a college freshman. Other highly regarded Swedish amateurs get chances when bumped to U-20 teams, some even the SHL teams due to their advance abilities, while others are allowed to continue to percolate in their SHL U-18 feeder teams, so they are able to truly further their skills with less pressure than youngsters asked to compete against Swedish men who are experienced pros.Marcus Nordmark is an example of a one whose path took him through an entire year last season in U-18, and this season has advanced to the U-20 league, where he hasn’t been overwhelmed by in competitions. This season he has produced 30 goals and 70 points between U-18 & U-20. He is the son of Robert Nordmark, a former London Knight who played four seasons with the St. Louis Blues and Vancouver Canucks. Marcus is a left handed shooter who plays all three forward position with smarts and high skill set and feet, especially for a tall 190lb. youngster. He’s a shift mover with good edging and can thrive in open space or navigating heavy traffic. His emerging snap shot that he can release off either skate or leg, surprises the opposition with a tape to taper pass to a teammate. Appears to play quick defensively, with good pressure and although he needs more work on his improving his movement skills, and you’d like a more active physical game and better effort in the times you feel he has the skating chops to do more. But, there is no denying he gets consideration as a first rounder because there are certainly a lot of things to like as fully develops into a multi-positioned guy who adds offense at the very least. —Bill Placzek—
