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IRVINE, Calif. — Stian Solberg had never gripped a baseball until he strolled out to the pitcher’s mound before a Los Angeles Angels game in June.

Solberg and forward Beckett Sennecke were invited to make the honorary first pitch two days after being selected by the Anaheim Ducks in the first round of the 2024 NHL Draft.

Although Solberg was out of his comfort zone, the 18-year-old defenseman from Norway successfully hit his target. This is something he has been doing exceptionally well in Eliteserien, the top professional hockey league in Norway, for the past two and a half seasons.

This season, Solberg will make significant progress as he transitions to Farjestad in the Swedish Hockey League.

“He stated during Ducks development camp last month, “With each new stride, it requires one to be more intelligent, quicker, stronger, and better in every aspect. So, I intend to work on improving all facets.”

Solberg became the second Norway-born player ever taken in the first round when Anaheim selected him with the No. 23 pick. Forward Michael Brandsegg-Nygard became the first when the Detroit Red Wings took him at No. 15.

Anaheim general manager Pat Verbeek, who played 20 seasons in the NHL before retiring in 2002, said during the draft that Solberg reminded him of a throwback from his era. As far as current players, Verbeek compared him to Ducks defenseman Radko Gudas, except Solberg is “about three inches taller.”

“His assertiveness and physicality are qualities we really admire,” Verbeek spoke highly of Solberg, who stands 6-foot-2 and weighs 205 pounds. “We appreciate the competitive edge in his game.”

Solberg stated that he developed his physical style of play when he switched from being a forward to a defenseman at the age of 14.

“He commented, “I began playing when I was just a child and I’m still youthful, so I needed to increase my size and strength to compete with the older guys. I’ve focused on this my entire life, always aiming to be the most powerful player in the league.”

Last season, Solberg scored 15 points, including five goals and 10 assists, in 42 games for Valerenga of Eliteserien. In the 17 playoff games, he scored nine points consisting of two goals and seven assists.

During the 2024 IIHF World Championship in May, Anaheim closely monitored Solberg, who was regarded as one of the top three players for Norway. He scored three points, comprising two goals and an assist, in seven games and logged an average of 22:44 ice time per game, the highest in his team.

Solberg was teammates with veteran NHL forward Mats Zuccarello of the Minnesota Wild, who became the first Norway-born player to skate in the Stanley Cup Final with the New York Rangers in 2014.

“For two weeks, I observed him, not just his actions on the ice, but off it as well,” Solberg stated. “I paid attention to how he interacts with people and how consistently professional he is.”

Solberg is set to join Farjestad this season, a team that boasts several leading NHL prospects. Among these is goaltender Damian Clara, who was picked by the Ducks in the second round (No. 60) of the 2023 NHL Draft.

“Things can always improve, but there isn’t one area where I’m particularly weak,” said Solberg.