Karno Grönkjær's Journey to the Draft.

Growing up in Trondheim, Norway Karno began playing the game of hockey with his friends on the frozen ponds of the beautiful city around four years old. His father Gunder would bring him and his brother Torvald to the pond games multiple times per week where the parents would laugh at the boys falling over each other on the ice while sipping a flask or hot coffee together.

Later moving on in his hockey passion, Karno was offered a contract with the U17 Frisk Asker team in Asker, Norway. He accepted the contract, his family followed him to the city and attended every game he played, watching him surpass huge milestones early on. Karno brought a cup to Asker, won the defenseman of the year trophy two times and even served as Captain for two seasons. After five long seasons with the team, beginning his term as the youngest player ever in the GET-liagen, Karno declared his wishes to play in North America to his fans on live TV.

An already infamous player within Norway, Grönkjær's name was highly anticipated the moment he declared his SMJHL Draft Eligibility in North America as well. This fame and anticipation finally lead to his name being called, 1st overall in the draft as his entire family watched him walk to the stage.