Magnus Chrona

Magnus Chrona (born 28 August 2000) is a Swedish professional ice hockey goaltender for the San Jose Barracuda in the American Hockey League (AHL) while under contract to the San Jose Sharks of the National Hockey League (NHL). He formerly played for the University of Denver of the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA).

Early life
Chrona was born on 28 August 2000, in Skellefteå, Sweden to parents Annika and Bjorn.

Playing career
Growing up in Sweden, Chrona played for the Skellefteå AIK junior team and Nacka HK junior under-18 team. During the 2017–18 season with Nacka HK in the J18 Allsvenskan league, Chrona recorded a 1.14 goals against average (GAA) and .954 save percentage (SV%) through seven games. Following the 2017–18 season, Chrona was drafted in the fifth round of the 2018 NHL Entry Draft by the Tampa Bay Lightning and attended their summer development camp. He then returned to Sweden and posted a 4.00 GAA and .889 SV% through 26 games for the Skellefteå AIK under-20 team. Following the 2018–19 season, Chrona enrolled at the University of Denver to play for the Denver Pioneers men's ice hockey team for the 2019–20 season. He also participated in his second Tampa Bay Lightning summer development camp.

Collegiate
Chrona made his collegiate debut on 5 October 2019, against the Alaska Fairbanks Nanooks, where he earned his first collegiate win. He subsequently started the following five games for the Pioneers, winning all of them and posting a 1.83 GAA and .930 SV%. During this period, Chrona recorded two shutouts to become one of only five goaltenders with two shutouts by 3 November. His six consecutive wins to start the season earned him recognition as the NCHC Goalie of the Month for October. As the season continued, Chrona split his time in net with Devin Cooley and accumulated a 7–4–2 record by early December. However, once Cooley suffered a lower-body injury, Chrona became their de facto starting goaltender. By the end of January, Chrona ranked second among NCAA freshmen with 13 wins and a 2.18 GAA. Chrona was recognized as the NCHC Rookie of the Week for the week ending on 9 March after he earned a tie and a win in back-to-back games against Colorado College. As the COVID-19 pandemic caused the early ending of the 2019–20 season, Chrona finished the 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 GAA and ranked first with a .920 SV%.

Due to his successful freshman season, Chrona was named to the 2020 NCHC Preseason All-Conference Team by members of the media. As the COVID-19 pandemic continued, the 2020–21 season was delayed. Chrona earned his first conference honor of the season on 1 March after winning earning two wins in back-to-back games against Colorado College. Throughout the season, Chrona failed to match his freshman season total and he finished the regular season with a 7–11–0 record, .907 GAA, and 2.47 SV%. Denver head coach David Carle explained the dip as a result of disruptions from the COVID-19 pandemic. On 10 April, Chrona's playing rights were traded to the San Jose Sharks in exchange for Fredrik Claesson.

Chrona experienced a breakout season in his junior year as he led the Pioneers to their record-tying ninth national championship. From 5 November to 25 February, Chrona started 25 consecutive games where he set numerous personal records. After earning six consecutive wins to start December for a 9–3–0 record, Chrona was recognized with the NCHC Goaltender of the Week Award for the week ending on 6 December. Later that month, he earned 10 consecutive wins and one win for a career-high 11-game streak between 31 December and 11 February. During this streak, he also recorded three straight shutouts from 16 to 22 January to become the second goaltender in program history to reach this milestone. His streak was also the sixth-longest in NCHC history as it reached 183:16. His shutout streak ended at 198:10, marking the third-longest in school history and the first since Marc Cheverie in 2009. Chrona finished the month with NCHC Goaltender of the Month honors after posting a 6–0–1 record, 1.67 GAA and .920 SV% over seven starts. He was also named to the 'Watch List' for the 2022 Mike Richter Award as the top goaltender in men’s NCAA Division I hockey. On 7 April, during the 2022 Frozen Four semifinals, Chrona earned his 50th career win in a 3–2 overtime win against the Michigan Wolverines. He later made 27 saves to help the Pioneers defeat Minnesota State in the NCAA Championship Final to win their ninth title in program history.

As Chrona remained unsigned to an NHL team, he returned to the Denver Pioneers for his senior season. Due to his successful freshman season, Chrona was named to the 2022 NCHC Preseason All-Conference Team by members of the media. He earned his first shutout of the season on 28 October against the Miami University RedHawks in their conference opener. This marked his 10th career NCAA shutout and tied him with Marc Cheverie for the fourth-most in program history. Along with his shutout, Chrona made 18 saves the following night to result in a series sweep against the RedHawks, which earned him NCHC Goaltender of the Week honors. On 13 January, Chrona made his 100th career start for the Pioneers and became one of eight goalies to reach this milestone in program history. He made all 20 saves during the game to clinch his 11th career shutout and take sole possession of fourth place in career shutouts with the Pioneers. He then surpassed this record with a shutout the following game to tie Adam Berkhoel for third place in program history and second-most in NCHC history. As a result of his accomplishments, Chrona was recognized with the NCHC Goaltender of the Week honor for the week ending on 16 January. Later that month, Chrona recorded his fourth shutout of the season and the 13th of his career to surpass Berkhoel and clinch second all-time in program history.

By mid-February, Chrona had posted a 19–7–0 record over 26 starts with the Pioneers and recorded a .916 CV% and 2.14 GAA. As a result, he was named a finalist for the Mike Richter Award as the top goaltender in men’s NCAA Division I hockey. While he did not win the Mike Richter Award, Chrona was named to the NCHC 2022–23 Academic All-Conference Team and earned NCHC Distinguished Scholar-Athlete honors. Chrona finished the regular season with a 22–9–0 record, a 2.19 GAA, and .916 SV%. As a result, he was honored with the NCHC's Goaltender of the Year award and Three Stars Award. He finished collegiate career with a career total of 73 wins, the fourth-most in the program's history.

Professional
Chrona officially concluded his collegiate career by signing a two-year, entry-level contract with the Sharks on 10 April 2023. Following the signing, he attended the Sharks' training camp before being re-assigned to their American Hockey League (AHL) affiliate, the San Jose Barracuda, to start the 2023–24 season. Chrona played four games with the Barracuda before being recalled to the NHL on 3 November. He made his NHL debut the following night as a reliever for Mackenzie Blackwood against the Pittsburgh Penguins. Chrona allowed four goals on 17 shots as the Sharks lost 10–2 for their 11th straight loss. Chrona made his first career NHL start on 28 December against the Edmonton Oilers but was pulled after allowing four goals on 11 shots. Chrona earned his first career NHL win on 9 March 2024, after stopping 31 of 32 shots against the Ottawa Senators in a 2–1 win.