Henrik Mikael Borgström (born 6 August 1997) is a Finnish professional ice hockey player who is currently playing with HV71 in the Swedish Hockey League (SHL). He also played two seasons for the University of Denver in the National Collegiate Hockey Conference (NCHC). Borgström was an all-American at Denver and led the Pioneers to the 2017 NCAA Championship. Borgström was selected 23rd overall in the 2016 NHL Entry Draft by the Florida Panthers.[1]

Henrik Borgström
Borgström with the Hershey Bears in 2023
Born (1997-08-06) 6 August 1997 (age 27)
Helsinki, Finland
Height 6 ft 3 in (191 cm)
Weight 199 lb (90 kg; 14 st 3 lb)
Position Centre
Shoots Left
SHL team
Former teams
HV71
Florida Panthers
HIFK
Chicago Blackhawks
Washington Capitals
NHL draft 23rd overall, 2016
Florida Panthers
Playing career 2018–present

Playing career

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Prior to his career at Denver, Borgström played in his native Finland within the junior program of the HIFK organization. Borgström committed to playing for the Denver Pioneers prior to the NHL Entry Draft.[2] Ranked as a potential 3rd-round pick, Borgström ended up being selected 23rd overall in the 2016 NHL Entry Draft by the Florida Panthers, his second eligible NHL draft.[3] At the end of the 2017–18 season, he was named a Hobey Baker Award finalist,[4] and a First-Team West All-American.[5]

On 26 March 2018, Borgström signed an entry-level contract with the Panthers.[6] He made his NHL debut in an overtime loss to the Ottawa Senators on 29 March.[7] Borgström's first NHL goal was the first of four Panthers goals in their last game of the season, a 4–2 win over the Boston Bruins, on 8 April 2018.[8]

Unable to come to terms with the Panthers as a restricted free agent and with the 2020–21 season, set to be delayed through the COVID-19 pandemic, Borgström opted to return to his original Finnish club, signing a one-year contract with HIFK of the Liiga, on 4 October 2020.[9] Approaching the playoffs with HIFK, on 8 April 2021, Borgström's NHL rights' were traded by the Panthers alongside Brett Connolly, Riley Stillman, and a 2021 7th round draft pick to the Chicago Blackhawks in exchange for Lucas Carlsson and Lucas Wallmark.[10]

On 12 May 2021, as a restricted free agent, Borgström agreed to a two-year, $2 million contract with the Chicago Blackhawks.[11] In the 2021–22 season, Borgström appeared in a career high 52 regular season games with the Blackhawks, however was unable to find his offensive touch in contributing with just 4 goals and 7 points.

On 11 July 2022, Borgström was placed on unconditional waivers by the Blackhawks for the purpose of buying out the remaining year on his contract, he was released as a free agent the following day.[12] On 14 July 2022, Borgström was signed to a one-year, two-way contract to join the Washington Capitals for the 2022–23 season.[13] Borgström was assigned to AHL affiliate, the Hershey Bears for the majority of the season. He was recalled and featured in one game with the Capitals before returning to the Bears and helping the club claim the Calder Cup, assisting on the championship winning overtime goal.

As a pending restricted free agent, Borgström opted to return to Europe in securing a two-year contract with Swedish club, HV71 of the SHL, on June 26, 2023.[14]

Career statistics

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Regular season and playoffs

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Regular season Playoffs
Season Team League GP G A Pts PIM GP G A Pts PIM
2015–16 HIFK Jr. A 40 29 26 55 20 4 4 2 6 0
2016–17 University of Denver NCHC 37 22 21 43 16
2017–18 University of Denver NCHC 40 23 29 52 18
2017–18 Florida Panthers NHL 4 1 0 1 0
2018–19 Springfield Thunderbirds AHL 24 5 17 22 8
2018–19 Florida Panthers NHL 50 8 10 18 4
2019–20 Florida Panthers NHL 4 0 0 0 2
2019–20 Springfield Thunderbirds AHL 49 11 12 23 10
2020–21 HIFK Liiga 30 11 10 21 8 8 2 3 5 2
2021–22 Chicago Blackhawks NHL 52 4 3 7 22
2022–23 Hershey Bears AHL 55 8 13 21 10 14 2 4 6 6
2022–23 Washington Capitals NHL 1 0 0 0 0
2023–24 HV71 SHL 50 16 18 34 33
NHL totals 111 13 13 26 28
Liiga totals 30 11 10 21 8 8 2 3 5 2

International

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Year Team Event Result GP G A Pts PIM
2017 Finland WJC 9th 6 0 0 0 2
Junior totals 6 0 0 0 2

Awards and honors

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Award Year
College
AHCA West First-Team All-American 2016–17, 2017–18 [15][5]
NCHC All-Tournament Team 2018 [16]
AHL
Calder Cup 2023 [17]

References

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  1. ^ "Panthers select Finnish center Henrik Borgstrom in first round". Sun-Sentinel. 24 June 2016. Retrieved 25 June 2016.
  2. ^ @punanen5 (4 April 2016). "So excited to announce my commitment to University of Denver. Thanks to my family and friends for their support! @DU_Hockey #Pioneers" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
  3. ^ Aleong, Joseph (25 June 2016). "The Biggest Surprises of the NHL Draft's First Round". thehockeywriters.com. Retrieved 26 May 2018.
  4. ^ "Borgstrom, Donato, Gaudette named Hobey Baker finalists". NHL.com. 29 March 2018. Retrieved 30 March 2018.
  5. ^ a b "BORGSTRÖM, TERRY AND JAILLET NAMED 2018 CCM/AHCA ALL-AMERICANS". denverpioneers.com. 6 April 2018. Archived from the original on 13 April 2018. Retrieved 12 April 2018.
  6. ^ "Panthers sign Henrik Borgstrom to entry-level contract". sportsnet.ca. 26 March 2018. Retrieved 30 March 2018.
  7. ^ Olive, Jameson (31 March 2018). "Down to the wire: Panthers look to keep playoff hopes alive in Boston". NHL.com. Retrieved 2 April 2018.
  8. ^ Kalman, Matt (8 April 2018). "Bruins lose to Panthers, finish second in Atlantic". NHL.com. Retrieved 12 April 2018.
  9. ^ "Henrik Borgstrom signs a one-year contract with HIFK" (in Finnish). HIFK. 4 October 2020. Retrieved 4 October 2020.
  10. ^ "Blackhawks acquire Connolly, Stillman and rights to Borgström". Chicago Blackhawks. 8 April 2021. Retrieved 8 April 2021.
  11. ^ "Blackhawks sign Henrik Borgstrom". Chicago Blackhawks. 12 May 2021. Retrieved 12 May 2021.
  12. ^ "Blackhawks place Borgstrom, Connolly on unconditional waivers". NBC Sports. 11 July 2022. Retrieved 11 July 2022.
  13. ^ "Capitals sign Henrik Borgstrom". Washington Capitals. 14 July 2022. Retrieved 14 July 2022.
  14. ^ "Henrik Borgstrom new center in HV71" (in Swedish). HV71. 26 June 2023. Retrieved 26 June 2023.
  15. ^ "2016–2017 All-American Team". The American Hockey Coaches Association. Retrieved 21 June 2017.
  16. ^ "Denver Wins 2018 Frozen Faceoff". NCHC. 17 March 2018. Retrieved 9 November 2018.[permanent dead link]
  17. ^ "Sweeter by the dozen: Hershey wins 12th Calder Cup". American Hockey League. 21 June 2023. Retrieved 21 June 2023.
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Awards and achievements
Preceded by Florida Panthers first round draft pick
2016
Succeeded by
Preceded by NCHC Rookie of the Year
2016–17
Succeeded by
Preceded by NCHC Player of the Year
2017–18
Succeeded by
Preceded by NCHC Forward of the Year
2017–18
Succeeded by