Magnus Chrona Bio
Magnus Chrona is a Swedish professional ice hockey goaltender who currently plays for the Milwaukee Admirals in the American Hockey League while under contract to the Nashville Predators of the National Hockey League. Born on 28 August 2000 in Skellefteå, Sweden, Chrona was drafted 152nd overall by the Tampa Bay Lightning in the fifth round of the 2018 NHL Entry Draft. He developed his game in Sweden before attending the University of Denver, where he became one of the most decorated goaltenders in collegiate hockey history. Chrona has represented Sweden internationally and continues to develop his career within the Nashville Predators organization.
Early Life and Background
Magnus Chrona was born on 28 August 2000 in Skellefteå, Sweden, to parents Annika and Bjorn Chrona. Growing up in the hockey-rich region of northern Sweden, Chrona began his career with the Skellefteå AIK junior program before moving to Nacka HK, where he played for their under-18 team during the 2017–18 season. His exceptional performance during that season caught the attention of NHL scouts, as he recorded an impressive 1.14 goals-against average and a .954 save percentage through seven games in the J18 Allsvenskan league.
Path to Professional Hockey
Following his standout junior season, Chrona was selected in the fifth round of the 2018 NHL Entry Draft by the Tampa Bay Lightning, drafting him 152nd overall. He attended the Lightning’s summer development camp after being drafted but returned to Sweden to continue his development. During the 2018–19 season with Skellefteå AIK’s under-20 team, Chrona posted a 4.00 goals-against average and .889 save percentage through 26 games. His draft selection and consistent performance at the junior level established him as a promising prospect in the hockey world.
Magnus Chrona Career
University of Denver Pioneers (2019–2023)
After his time in Sweden, Chrona enrolled at the University of Denver in 2019 to play for the Denver Pioneers men’s ice hockey team. He made his collegiate debut on 5 October 2019 against the Alaska Fairbanks Nanooks, earning his first collegiate win. Chrona immediately established himself as a starting goaltender, winning his first six consecutive starts and posting a 1.83 goals-against average and .930 save percentage. He recorded two shutouts by early November, becoming one of only five goaltenders to achieve that milestone. His exceptional start earned him NCHC Goalie of the Month honors for October 2019.
Throughout his freshman season, Chrona split time in net but became the de facto starter following an injury to his teammate. He finished the 2019–20 season with a 16–6–4 record and was named to the NCHC All-Rookie Team. He ranked third among all NCAA freshmen with a 2.15 goals-against average and led all freshmen with a .920 save percentage. The season was cut short due to the COVID-19 pandemic, but Chrona’s performance established him as one of the top goaltending prospects in college hockey.
Breakthrough Junior Season (2021–2022)
Chrona experienced his breakthrough season during his junior year with the Denver Pioneers. He led the team to their record-tying ninth national championship while posting remarkable statistics. From November to February, Chrona started 25 consecutive games and set numerous personal records. He earned six consecutive wins in December 2021 and followed that with a career-high 11-game winning streak between December 31 and February 11. During this stretch, he recorded three consecutive shutouts from January 16 to 22, becoming the second goaltender in program history to achieve this milestone.
His shutout streak reached 198 minutes and 10 seconds, marking the third-longest in school history. Chrona was named NCHC Goaltender of the Month for January 2022 after posting a 6–0–1 record with a 1.67 goals-against average and .920 save percentage. He was also named a finalist for the Mike Richter Award as the top goaltender in men’s NCAA Division I hockey. On 7 April 2022, during the Frozen Four semifinals, Chrona earned his 50th career win in a dramatic 3–2 overtime victory against the Michigan Wolverines. He followed that with 27 saves in the championship game to help Denver defeat Minnesota State and capture their ninth national title.
Final Collegiate Season (2022–2023)
Returning for his senior season, Chrona continued to add to his impressive collegiate legacy. He earned his first shutout of the season on 28 October 2022 against Miami University, marking his 10th career NCAA shutout and tying him with Marc Cheverie for the fourth-most in program history. On 13 January 2023, Chrona made his 100th career start for the Pioneers, becoming one of only eight goaltenders in program history to reach that milestone. He recorded his 11th career shutout that game to take sole possession of fourth place in career shutouts.
Chrona surpassed that record the following game and continued climbing the record books throughout the season. By mid-February, he was named a finalist for the Mike Richter Award for the second consecutive year. Although he did not win the award, Chrona was named to the NCHC Academic All-Conference Team and earned NCHC Distinguished Scholar-Athlete honors. He finished the season with a 22–9–0 record, a 2.19 goals-against average, and a .916 save percentage. Chrona was honored with the NCHC Goaltender of the Year award and the Three Stars Award, completing his collegiate career with 73 total wins, the fourth-most in program history.
Professional Career with San Jose Sharks (2023–2024)
Chrona officially concluded his collegiate career by signing a two-year, entry-level contract with the San Jose Sharks on 10 April 2023. Following the signing, he attended the Sharks’ training camp before being assigned to their American Hockey League affiliate, the San Jose Barracuda, to begin the 2023–24 season. He played four games with the Barracuda before being recalled to the NHL on 3 November 2023. Chrona made his NHL debut the following night as a relief goaltender against the Pittsburgh Penguins, where he faced 17 shots and allowed four goals in a 10–2 loss.
Chrona made his first career NHL start on 28 December 2023 against the Edmonton Oilers but was pulled after allowing four goals on 11 shots. He achieved a significant milestone on 9 March 2024, earning his first career NHL victory by stopping 31 of 32 shots in a 2–1 win against the Ottawa Senators. This performance marked his arrival as an NHL-caliber goaltender and provided momentum for the remainder of the season.
Milwaukee Admirals Era (2024–Present)
During the 2024 offseason, Chrona was traded to the Nashville Predators organization as part of a major trade involving Yaroslav Askarov. He joined the Predators’ AHL affiliate, the Milwaukee Admirals, where he has continued his development as a professional goaltender. The trade represented a fresh opportunity for Chrona to establish himself within a new organization while competing in the AHL.
Playing Style and Strengths
Chrona stands at 6 feet 4 inches (193 cm) and weighs 194 pounds (88 kg), giving him excellent size to cover the net and challenge shooters. His collegiate career demonstrated his ability to steal games with timely saves and maintain consistency over long stretches. He excels at tracking the puck through traffic and maintaining square positioning to shooters. His composure under pressure was evident during key playoff moments at Denver, where he delivered clutch performances in elimination games and overtime situations.
Notable Achievements and Records
Throughout his career, Chrona has accumulated numerous accolades at both the collegiate and conference levels. His most prestigious individual honors include being named NCHC Goaltender of the Year in 2022 and earning NCHC Goalie of the Month recognition. At Denver, he ranks fourth all-time in career wins with 73 and climbed to second place in career shutouts. His 198-minute shutout streak ranks among the longest in both program and conference history. He was a two-time finalist for the Mike Richter Award and earned All-Rookie Team honors following his freshman season.
Magnus Chrona Career Wins
Chrona has accumulated wins across multiple levels throughout his hockey career, from junior hockey in Sweden to NCAA Division I college hockey and professional leagues in North America. His collegiate career produced 73 total wins with the Denver Pioneers, while his professional career includes victories in both the AHL and NHL.
NCAA Highlights
Chrona’s most prolific winning stretch came during his junior and senior seasons with the Denver Pioneers. He posted a 16–6–4 record as a freshman, followed by a dip to 7–11–0 during the pandemic-affected sophomore season. His breakthrough came in 2021–22 with a national championship and numerous winning streaks. His senior season saw him post a 22–9–0 record, bringing his career total to 73 wins. He earned his first career collegiate win on 5 October 2019 and his 50th career win on 7 April 2022 in the Frozen Four semifinals against Michigan.
Professional Highlights
Chrona earned his first professional win with the San Jose Barracuda before making his NHL debut. His most significant professional victory came on 9 March 2024, when he earned his first career NHL win with the San Jose Sharks by stopping 31 of 32 shots in a 2–1 victory over the Ottawa Senators. This marked a career milestone and validated his potential as an NHL goaltender.
Family
Family Background
Magnus Chrona was born to Annika and Bjorn Chrona in Skellefteå, Sweden. His Swedish heritage and family support have been foundational to his development as a hockey player. Growing up in Skellefteå, a city with a rich hockey tradition thanks to Skellefteå AIK, provided Chrona with excellent youth hockey opportunities and exposure to the sport at a high level from an early age.
Personal Life
Chrona pursued higher education at the University of Denver while playing collegiate hockey, demonstrating his commitment to balancing athletics and academics. He earned NCHC Academic All-Conference honors and NCHC Distinguished Scholar-Athlete recognition during his senior season. His decision to attend college in the United States rather than turning professional immediately after being drafted reflects his patience and dedication to developing his game fully before turning pro.
2025 Season Performance
Entering the 2025 season, Magnus Chrona continues his professional development within the Nashville Predators organization, serving as a goaltender for their AHL affiliate, the Milwaukee Admirals. The Admirals have been a consistently competitive team in the American Hockey League, providing Chrona with an excellent environment to refine his skills and push for an expanded NHL role. His size, athleticism, and track record of clutch performances make him a valuable prospect for the Predators’ future plans.
Chrona’s professional journey from Sweden to the University of Denver and through the NHL and AHL systems has shaped him into a well-rounded goaltender. The experience gained from his collegiate national championship run and his first NHL victory in 2024 provides him with confidence heading into the 2025 campaign. Working within the Predators’ system, Chrona has access to quality coaching and development resources that can help him continue progressing toward becoming a full-time NHL goaltender.
The goaltending position remains competitive at every level, and Chrona’s ability to maintain consistency and continue developing his game will be crucial for his career trajectory. His combination of size, technical skill, and championship experience gives him a strong foundation to build upon. As he enters the prime of his career, Chrona represents a promising asset for the Nashville Predators organization with the potential to become a reliable NHL starter in the seasons ahead.