Five For Zion Nybeck
“Five For…” is a Q&A feature with NHL Draft eligibles that touches on their lives and careers leading into the 2020 NHL Draft. This edition features forward Zion Nybeck of HV71.
With the 2019-20 season coming to a halt and the draft approaching, Zion Nybeck can be happy with his season.
At just 17-years-old, Nybeck took the SuperElit by storm, leading the league with 66 points (27 goals, 39 assists) and setting record for under-18 players in the league. He also got his first taste of the SHL, the top Swedish league, and his first SHL goal.
“I’m pretty happy with how my season went” said the Swedish forward. “I think I’m just getting better and better. I had a great team also, I think if the season didn’t end the way it did, I think we would have had a good chance for the gold medal.”
With the season over for Nybeck, he has set himself up as best as he could heading into the 2020 NHL Draft.
Future Considerations recently caught up with Nybeck:
FC: You led the SuperElit in scoring this season, why do you think you were so successful?
NZ: I think I worked hard. Even through the tough times, where it wasn’t my best game, I still worked hard. The points just kept coming to me, I had great teammates and I couldn’t have done it without them.
FC: You set the under-18 scoring record in the SuperElit this season, how exciting was that?
ZN: It was super exciting. I didn’t know at first, but after the season I heard everyone talking about it. I know I was like five points from the all-time record, so that’s pretty special.
FC: You also had 15 games in the SHL, what was it like to get your first taste of that league?
ZN: Everyone is stronger and faster. I think I did pretty well when I got a chance there. I have great skill, but it was definitely different from the SuperElit. But it went well.
FC: Do you have any expectations heading into the draft?
ZN: Not so much, I’m just looking forward to see how it goes. I’m not doing too much right now, I just need focus on me and we’ll see how it goes.
FC: Has there been one person who has helped you the most to get you to this point?
ZN: I’d say my brother, Chris. He played here with HV71 when I was playing with the juniors. He’s been a big role model for me and he’s always helped me out with hockey and things off the ice. He’s a big part of where I am.