Blackhawks Draft Profiles: Anton Frondell

The 2025 NHL Entry Draft will take place on June 27 and 28 in Los Angeles, CA. Our first set of Blackhawks Draft Profiles will focus on the possible targets for the third overall pick. Today, we’re looking at the Swedish center, Anton Frondell.

Tale of the Tape

Date of Birth: May 7, 2007
Place of Birth: Trångsund, SWE
Position: Center
Shoots: Left
Height: 6-foot-1
Weight: 198 pounds
2024-25 Team: Djurgårdens IF (HockeyAllsvenskan)

Player Profile

In addition to being one of the biggest late-season risers on the draft board, Frondell is also one of the youngest players in the draft class. He started turning heads in North America with a terrific J20 season in 2023-24, scoring 18 goals and 39 points in 29 games as a 16-year-old. This past season, he was promoted to HockeyAllsvenskan, Sweden’s second-tier professional league. Playing against much older players, he put up 11 goals and 25 points in 29 games. He had a disappointing showing at the U18 World Junior Championships with a goal and two assists in five games.

Frondell’s season started slowly while dealing with various injuries, but he got red-hot in February and finished strong. His best attributes are his awareness, hockey IQ, and complete 200-foot game. His top speed is hard to defend, but it takes him a couple of extra strides to get there compared to other top players in the draft. However, that can be worked on and improved through coaching.

The young forward uses his big frame to shield the puck from defenders and win battles along the boards and in front of the net. He is willing to go to the dirty areas of the ice and wins far more one-on-one battles than he loses. Frondell is most effective in the dangerous areas of the ice and excels at controlling the puck in tight spaces. He has an impressive one-timer in his arsenal and a quick and deadly wrist shot.

Frondell is a well-rounded player who plays a stout defensive game. He hounds the puck, constantly applying pressure on the opponent and forcing turnovers. His attention to detail shines when he doesn’t have the puck.

What Experts are Saying

“What I like about him is his well-roundedness; he is a good shooter as well as a playmaker. He creates a lot on the forecheck, forcing defenders breaking out to make mistakes by being an intimidating presence, not afraid to get involved in the physical play if necessary, although it’s often not his primary way of creating pressure.” – Samuel Tirpak, FC Hockey 

“Although he’s certainly able to pick his spots score goals and gets a ton of power behind his shots, it’s his lightning fast release and his ability to shoot for rebounds for teammates that makes that part of his toolkit pop out this most, and has allowed him to take huge strides in his production in recent months. Outside of establishing himself as a high-end shooting threat in recent months, he’s also been an above-average playmaker and an absolute menace on the forecheck.” – Smaht Scouting

“Frondell has excellent hockey sense. He reads how plays develop and slides into ‘quiet ice’ to make himself available offensively. He has good size and room to add more strength and weight as he matures. Frondell is also generally responsible defensively.” – Jason Bukala, Sportsnet 

Blackhawks Fit

Frondell is drawing comparisons to Leo Carlsson, who was taken second by the Anaheim Ducks at the 2022 NHL Entry Draft. If Michael Misa is unavailable when the Blackhawks get on the clock, Frondell is my pick. What he was able to do in an older league was impressive. He’s a complete two-way center who is just scratching the surface of his ability.

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Additional Draft Profiles

Matthew Schaefer
Michael Misa
James Hagens
Porter Martone
Caleb Desnoyers
Jack Nesbitt