Djurgården has a strong vintage of young talent.

In tonight's NHL draft, it was clearly shown when Jonathan Lekkerimäki was chosen as the first Swede, by the Vancouver Canucks, in the first round in place 15. Immediately after, Noah Östlund was defeated by the Buffalo Sabers and in place 19 Minnesota took Wild Liam Öhgren.

This is the first time ever a Swedish club has three players in the first round of the draft.

- Of course we are happy and proud, but above all happy for the boys.

It is actually something unique, we are very happy.

This is the beginning of their new journey, so it will be exciting to follow.

I hope they continue to be patient in their development because that is what will take them all the way forward in the end, says Djurgården's sports director KG Stoppel.

"Need to gain more experience"

Stoppel expects, despite the night's success, that the trio will remain in the club and help the Stockholmers in the hockey allsvenskan this autumn.

- Yes, those are the signals we have received and what we hope for as well.

They are still very young and need to gain a little more experience, I would say.

If one is to believe Patrik Allvin, general manager in Vancouver, he was also quite clear that they are in no hurry with Lekkerimäki.

They must be patient.

In his case, too, he was ill for long parts of last season.

So he really needs time to play and train a lot.

Then Djurgården and Sweden are the best alternative, says Stoppel.

What is the secret that you have produced such prominent juniors?

- Partly that we invest a lot of money and a lot of commitment and time in developing young players.

We have experience of what it takes to become a good and complete hockey player.

We have fantastic leaders and coaches who put in a tremendous amount of work with the guys.

- It's cool and we want to be a nursery with a good junior business that is the step into the elite world.

I think we have been quite good at that and we will continue to be.

Djurgården also has another player who had the opportunity to go in the first round.

Calle Odelius will instead be drafted early in the second round, which begins on Friday.