By Ben Shanahan

Special to the Sentinel-Tribune

Twenty-one-year-old Gustav Stjernberg’s offensive ability has translated from last year in the United States Hockey League, where he led defensemen on his team in goals, to currently sitting in second for Bowling Green State University with three points.

The 6-foot-4 Stjernberg sits behind Dalton Norris (4), but by just a single point.

Stjernberg was born in Enebyberg, Sweden, on October 12, 2002, and began playing hockey at just 5-years-old.

“I have two older brothers who played their whole lives, so I grew up watching them play and fell in love with the game from there,” said Stjernberg

Stjernberg played his initial junior hockey seasons in Sweden, playing just over two hours from Enebyberg at different levels for Örebro HK from 2018-22.

While playing for Örebro, Gustave saw success in his offensive game, earning 29 points in 47 games played (10 goals, 19 assists) in his last season.

Towards the end of his time in Sweden, he began discussing with his Swedish family advisor about his eagerness to play college hockey in America and found a home in Bowling Green.

“I had lots of talks with my advisor back home in Sweden two years ago, and he looked around. He knew my interest was college hockey, so he looked around and got me a spot here in Bowling Green. It was an easy decision,” said Stjernberg.

The year before playing for the Falcons, Stjernberg moved to Des Moines, Iowa and played in America’s top junior league, the USHL. There, Gustav learned a different style of hockey, in part because hockey is played on a bigger ice sheet in Sweden.

“It was a big difference,” said Stjernberg. “The rink is so much smaller here, so you have less time with the puck.

“It is much more physical, and you just have to make quicker decisions. It is so much faster here, so before you get the puck, you have to know what to do with it. It’s just a very fun game over here.”

Stjernberg did not have much trouble adapting, however, leading the Des Moines Buccaneers in goals by a defenseman and second by a defenseman in points and assists (62 games, 20 points, 8 goals, 12 assists).

In the fall of 2023, Stjernberg joined the Falcons and made his debut in the fourth game of the season on the road against Augustana.

Stjernberg scored his first goal in his third game on the road against then ninth-ranked Western Michigan, something that set him up to keep producing.

“It is not what I expected,” Stjernberg said. “It was really nice to get the first goal, and since then I have never looked back. I just kept on going. It is going really well right now. I am looking forward to keep going.”