# Kevin Marx Norén

Kevin Joel Marx Norén (born July 15, 2002) is a Swedish ice hockey forward for the Rochester Institute of Technology (RIT Tigers) in the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA). He previously played for the Northern Michigan Wildcats and the Minnesota Wilderness (NAHL), where he helped lead the team to the Midwest Playoff Championship.

## Early life

Kevin Marx Norén, according to his parents, started ice skating at the age of two, developing an early connection to the sport. By the age of six, he joined Almtuna IS Hockey School, a hockey organization based in Uppsala (Sweden). Marx Norén progressed through the ranks at Almtuna IS. He spent his last season with Almtuna U16 at the age of 15, where Marx Norén was selected to play for Team Uppland in TV-pucken. His last youth season, Marx Norén scored 26 goals and contributed 17 assists, totalling 43 points in 34 games. At the Final Tournament with Almtuna IS in his last seven games, he recorded 5 goals and 9 assists. Marx Norén's family played an integral role in supporting his development. His father, Thomas Marx Norén, served as the team manager for Almtuna IS, dedicating countless hours to Kevin Marx Norén's team. His efforts allowed Kevin Marx Norén and his teammates to grow both on and off the ice. In a feature interview with Sveriges Radio, Thomas Marx Norén was asked: "What is it, that becomes the sacrifice in life?" – "My own time, for myself.""Is it worth it?" – "Absolutely."
In an interview on August 8, 2023, Marx Norén stated; he would not be where he is today without his parents' support.

## Playing career
### Junior career
#### Swedish junior hockey career

At the age of 16, Norén moved away from home to play for Vasteras IK J18 Elit, where he recorded 3 goals and 12 assists, totalling 15 points in 31 games. In the following 2019–2020 season, Marx Noren made a leap in his offensive production, posting 19 goals and 20 assists for 39 points in 34 games. The season was cut short due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The following season, Marx Norén moved up to J20 SuperElit but the 2020–2021 season was to be disrupted in November 2020 due to COVID-19, limiting Marx Norén's season to 12 games. Marx Norén going pointless in his first eight appearances, he proclaimed "It took some time, but once I got it, I got it. pressure creates diamonds." This was after attending a boostcamp with performance coach Andy Sward in Malmo. Following the boostcamp, Marx Norén rebounded with 3 goals and 2 assists in his final 4 games against Skelleftea AIK, Lulea HF, and Brynas IF. Despite the strong finish, Marx Norén's Draft year season came to an early closure. Vasteras IK playing a pivotal role in his growth, Coach Laurell of Vasteras IK, praised Marx Norén's technical skills and vision, calling him: "A magician with the puck... highly entertaining to watch... He is a wildcard with game-winning abilities." On June 9, 2021, Marx Norén graduated from Widenska gymnasium, marking the official end of his Swedish junior hockey career. Sharing a farewell on his social media.

#### American junior hockey career

Marx Norén started his NAHL career in Jamestown, New York in 2021. His time with the Jamestown Rebels, he recorded 11 NAHL games, and scored 8 points, tied for team leader in points at the time. he was subsequently acquired by Kenai River Brown Bears on October 27, 2021.
Marx Norén's career shifted as he spent his time in Alaska, where he played a total of 30 games for the Kenai River Brown Bears during his first NAHL season. Playing alongside Cole Dubicki, after 28 regular season games together, the duo combined for 15 power play goals and 27 power play assists, totalling 42 power play points. Marx Norén recorded a total of 13 goals and 12 assists in the 30 games with the brown bears. His final game on February 5 against Chippewa Steel with the Kenai River Brown Bears played on the day of the trade deadline. Fairbanks Ice Dogs being the top-seeded team in the NAHL Midwest Division, recruited him. On February 11, 2022, Marx Norén was set to face the Chippewa Steel once again—but this time in a newjersey.
In his second game with the Fairbanks Ice Dogs, on February 12, Marx Norén recorded his first multi-goal game and a three-point night against the Minnesota Wilderness. Kevin Marx Norén's were to score the game-winning power play goal in the Alaska Airlines Club 49 Cup game against the Anchorage Wolverines which was a standout moment that propelled the team to victory, securing their first Alaska Airlines Club 49 Cup, and solidifying the Ice Dogs' as the Midwest Division Regular Season Champions on April 9, 2022. Marx Norén added 8 goals and 5 assists in 17 regular-season games, including 1 goal and 1 assist in 5 playoff games. Marking his 1st NAHL season totals 46 points in 58 regular season games.

#### Minnesota Wilderness

Marx Norén was to begin his following season with the Ice Dogs, scoring his first goal against Minnesota Wilderness in the season opener 6–2 victory. However, after just two games for the Fairbanks Ice Dogs. Wilderness altered the course of Marx Norén's hockey career, on September 15, 2022, they acquired Kevin Marx Norén, hours later Marx Norén recorded four goals and one assist in a 7–3 victory, setting a new NAHL Showcase record for most goals and points in a single game. After his arrival, the Wilderness went on eight-games without a full-time regulation loss. In his sixth game, on October 2, Marx Norén secured his second hat-trick of the season, capped off with an overtime game-winning goal.
Marx Norén finished the regular season with 34 goals, 4 shootout goals, and 26 assists, totalling 60 points and a 25 +/-. The Wilderness prepared to face off against Marx Norén's former team Kenai River Brown Bears for the semi-finals. Coach Skinner of the Wilderness mentioned that Marx Norén has so far been a important piece to the puzzle, and will need to continue to play a major role if the Wilderness are going to find success throughout playoffs. Head Coach of the Brown Bears, stated: "He's got a pro shot... Our guys are very familiar with him, obviously." Minnesota would go on to win the series. Marx Norén scoring in all 3 games. When the Wilderness advanced to the Midwest Divisional Finals to face off against the Wisconsin Windigo. Marx Norén appeared to suffer a serious injury in the last game of the series. Despite the injury, Wilderness held on in game 4 and won the series 3 to 1, where Marx Norén tallied 2 goals and 2 assists. His injury details remained undisclosed, and his availability for the Robertson cup final was uncertain. The Wilderness first Robertson Cup chance since the 2015-16, "but they may need to summit those steps without their best player," said Brady Slater. An x-ray confirmed he had broken his jaw (mandibular fracture) and broken teeth, yet the Wilderness had kept the severity of his injury confidential before the final. When Coach Skinner was pressed about Marx Norén's status, he said; "We don't know yet... would be a game-time decision". Later on August 8, 2023, Marx Norén shared that he I played with a broken jaw against Oklahoma City Warriors. Marx Norén returned for the final two games, where he had 2 assists, the Wilderness fell short to the Robertson Cup Champions Oklahoma City Warriors. Marx Norén lead his team to the Midwest Playoff Championship, with 5 goals, 5 assists, 10 points in 9 playoff games. He received several awards during the season, including NAHL Top Goal Scorer, All-Season Teams... Earning himself nicknames like "King Kevin" by broadcasters, "Mr. Clutch", "Clutch".
On June 1, 2023, Marx Norén officially announced his commitment to play Division 1 Hockey at the University of Northern Michigan Dave Boitz, General Manager of the Minnesota Wilderness, praised Marx Norén's dedication: "We are really excited for Kevin... Northern Michigan is getting an outstanding young man and a terrific player." During Marx Noren's NAHL career, he accumulated a total of 63 goals and 55 assists, 118 total points in 130 total games including playoffs.

### College career
#### Northern Michigan University

Marx Norén made his College debut for the Northern Michigan Wildcats at the Berry Events Center on October 27, 2023. The following night, Marx Norén recorded his first collegiate goal and assist in a 4–1 victory, securing the Wildcats' first win of the season. This game marked Marx Norén's first point, game-winning goal, and multi-point game. In February 2024, off the Michigan rivalry series, Norén was named CCHA Rookie of the Week after Northern Michigan swept the 2023-2024 CCHA playoff champions Michigan Tech.
After the weekend, Coach Potulny was asked about Marx Noren's success both as an individual and as part of the team. He shared: "Among the freshmen, he's been the most consistent offensive threat out of that class. He's just getting rewarded for some of his looks"
Marx Norén finishing as the top-scoring freshman for the Wildcats in the 2023-2024 campaign. He tallied 4 goals and 13 assists in 30 games. On April 3, 2024, Marx Norén entered the transfer portal. Later he announced his transition to Rochester Institute of Technology (RIT). Kevin Marx Norén set to begin his sophomore season at RIT, Coach Wilson said: "Kevin comes to us after a very successful rookie season at Northern Michigan University. Kevin is an effective player in both even-strength and power play situations."

#### Rochester Institute of Technology

Marx Norén ready to build on his previous seasons. Only his second game, and third shift, on October 6, 2024, Marx Norén took a hit against Clarkson that resulted in him being unable to continue the game. This injury after MRI, was publicly revealed to be a high ankle sprain, specifically a syndesmosis injury, involved damage to the anterior and posterior tibiofibular ligament. This injury sidelined Marx Norén for most of the 2024–2025 season. Coach Wilson spoke on Marx Norén injury, addressing Marx Noren would not be able to play healthy, but hoping he would be back soon. During the 2024–2025 season, Norén suffered his first major injury, limiting him to five games. He recorded one goal in four full appearances.

## Career statistics
### Regular season and playoffs

| | | | Regular season | Regular season | Regular season | Regular season | Regular season | Playoffs | Playoffs | Playoffs | Playoffs | Playoffs |
| Season | Team | League | GP | G | A | Pts | PIM | GP | G | A | Pts | PIM |
| 2017–18 | Almtuna IS | U16 | 22 | 13 | 7 | 20 | 12 | — | — | — | — | — |
| 2017–18 | Almtuna IS 2 | U16 | 12 | 13 | 10 | 23 | 2 | — | — | — | — | — |
| 2018–19 | Västerås IK | J18 | 31 | 3 | 12 | 15 | 6 | — | — | — | — | — |
| 2019–20 | Västerås IK | J18 | 34 | 19 | 20 | 39 | 10 | — | — | — | — | — |
| 2019–20 | Västerås IK | J20 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — | — | — | — | — |
| 2020–21 | Västerås IK | J20 | 12 | 3 | 2 | 5 | 0 | — | — | — | — | — |
| 2021–22 | Jamestown Rebels | NAHL | 11 | 3 | 5 | 8 | 6 | — | — | — | — | — |
| 2021–22 | Kenai River Brown Bears | NAHL | 30 | 12 | 13 | 25 | 6 | — | — | — | — | — |
| 2021–22 | Fairbanks Ice Dogs | NAHL | 17 | 8 | 5 | 13 | 6 | 5 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 2 |
| 2022–23 | Fairbanks Ice Dogs | NAHL | 2 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | — | — | — | — | — |
| 2022–23 | Minnesota Wilderness | NAHL | 56 | 33 | 26 | 59 | 27 | 9 | 5 | 5 | 10 | 2 |
| 2023–24 | Northern Michigan University | CCHA | 30 | 4 | 13 | 17 | 14 | — | — | — | — | — |
| NCAA totals | NCAA totals | NCAA totals | 30 | 4 | 13 | 17 | 14 | — | — | — | — | — |

## Awards and honors

Awards and Honors :
| Personal Awards ||
| Award | Year |
| TV Pucken | 2017–2018 |
| Co-Lead NAHL Most Power play Points | 2021–2022 |
| All-NAHL Team | 2022–2023 |
| NAHL Top Scorer | 2022–2023 |
| Most Powerplay Goals | 2022–2023 |
| NAHL Team of the Week | 2022–2023 |
| Wilderness Season Franchise Goal-Scoring Record | 2022–2023 |
| NAHL Top Prospects | 2022–2023 |
| CCHA Rookie of the Week | 2023–2024 |
| All-Freshman Most Points - Northern Michigan | 2023–2024 |
| Team Awards ||
| Award | Year |
| Midwest Regular Season Champions | 2021–2022 |
| Alaska Airlines Club 49 Cup | 2021–2022 |
| Midwest Playoffs Champions | 2022–2023 |