Prospect Update: Stian Solberg

By Thomas Harrington

The Anaheim Ducks selected defenseman Stian Solberg of the 2024 NHL Entry Draft, 23rd overall. He primarily played for the San Diego Gulls this past season, his first full season in North America. He also suited up for Team Norway at the World Championships.

Solberg played in 71 games and scored 12 goals and 24 points in his AHL rookie year. Among all rookie defensemen in the AHL, Solberg ranked first in goals and tied for fifth in points. His 12 goals also tied San Diego’s record for most goals scored by a rookie defenseman. Solberg was also one of eight players to miss only one game all season. He played primarily on San Diego’s top pairing, next to Roland McKeown, and was a constant presence on their penalty kill. He saw some time on the powerplay as well, picking up two goals with the man advantage. He was scoreless in two playoff games. Solberg had a slow start to the season, with two assists through his first 11 games. He recorded his first career two point game, with a goal and an assist, in mid-November against San Jose. He finished the season with a four game point streak where he recorded two goals and five points.

At the World Championships, Solberg played in 10 games and recorded a goal and two assists, which was a step down from the previous year where he scored four goals and six points in seven games at the World Championships. However, Solberg is likely much happier with this year’s tournament, as Norway was able to win the bronze medal, their first medal at this competition.

I had three expectations for Solberg last summer, and he was able to meet all three. First, I wanted him to be a consistent presence in San Diego’s top four, and he was able to do that by playing on their top pairing more often than not. Second, after recording five points in 10 AHL games to end the 2024-2025 season, I was hoping to see him be one of San Diego’s top three point producers from the blueline. His hot streak at the end of the year brought him into a tie for third place with veteran Nikolas Brouillard. Only Tristan Luneau and McKeown finished with more points among San Diego defensemen. Finally, I wanted to see Solberg’s positioning continue to improve, which it did. He had some struggles early in the season, but Solberg’s overall game and positioning got better as the season went on.

Anaheim is not deep on the left side of their defense. They currently have Jackson LaCombe, Pavel Mintyukov, and Tyson Hinds under contract on their roster. Personally, I think Solberg could use another year in the AHL before he gets some serious NHL action. However, if anything happens to LaCombe, Mintyukov, or Hinds, then Solberg is one of the players who will likely get the call up from San Diego. So it wouldn’t surprise me if his NHL debut comes this season, but I don’t think he’ll be ready for a full time job in the NHL until the 2027-2028 or 2028-2029 seasons.

Solberg had a very strong rookie season for the Gulls, and I’d like to see him build on that this season. My first expectation for him is to once again play in a majority of San Diego’s games. Missing only one game all season was a great sign as a rookie; now I want him to do it again. Second, for him to continue to be a regular in San Diego’s top four defensive rotation. And finally, for him to eclipse the 30 point mark.

Even though Solberg was in San Diego for all of last season, because of his age, his three-year entry level contract slid and will actually begin this year. When it ends, he’ll be a restricted free agent. The Ducks will absolutely be extending him three years from now. Even if Solberg is still primarily in the AHL, there’s a lot to like about his game, and Anaheim is clearly excited to have him in their system.

The next and final prospect update will be on forward Roger McQueen.

Related Articles:

Prospect Update: Tristan Luneau

Prospect Update: Emile Guite

Prospect Update: Tarin Smith

Prospect Update: Damian Clara

Prospect Update: Tyson Hinds

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September 9th, 2026