tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-151709332024-03-07T09:07:02.200+01:00Hockey in SwenglishHockey news from Swedish media in EnglishMattiashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07948275252674991948noreply@blogger.comBlogger49125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15170933.post-86211402506146083252009-07-27T12:20:00.005+02:002009-07-27T12:44:00.782+02:00P.J. Axelsson also to FrölundaLeft winger <span style="font-weight:bold;"><a href="http://www.eliteprospects.com/player.php?player=694">Per-Johan Axelsson</a></span>, 11 seasons with the Boston Bruins, has <a href="http://www.frolundaindians.com/sv/frolunda/nyheter/a-laget/pebben-axelsson-tillbaka-till-frolunda-/">signed</a> a 4-year contract with Frölunda in the <a title="Swedish Elite League - the top hockey league in Sweden." style="border-bottom: 1px dotted rgb(0, 0, 0); color: rgb(0, 0, 0); text-decoration: none;">SEL</a>. He will join the same team as <span style="font-weight:bold;"><a href="http://hockeyinswenglish.blogspot.com/search/label/joel%20lundqvist">Joel Lundqvist</a></span> and also the club where he started his senior career.<br /><br /><blockquote>- Frölunda is the club in my heart. I have always wanted to come back here. Now it suited well in and I'm looking forward to experience nice things again with the team. Saw that Joel Lundqvist was talking about winning the Swedish Championship. That sounded good.</blockquote><br />I thought Pebben (as he is called over here) would continue his NHL career. I guess the chance of him returning to Frölunda increased a lot though, when the team, where he played his whole NHL career, decided not to give him an offer.<br /><span style="font-size:78%;"><span style="color: rgb(255, 255, 255);">.</span></span>Mattiashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07948275252674991948noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15170933.post-16857611028471026052009-07-23T22:24:00.005+02:002009-07-24T01:44:13.813+02:00Joel Lundqvist's back in FrölundaNot much going on at the moment, so I have been enjoying the summer. Here are some news though.<br /><br />Since May, there has been articles now and then about forward <span style="font-weight:bold;"><a href="http://www.eliteprospects.com/player.php?player=305&lang=en">Joel Lundqvist</a></span> and where he will play next season. Lundqvist played for the Dallas Stars last season and had a rough season with injury problems that made him miss half of the season. Dallas ended up not re-signing him, so he became an UFA this summer.<br /><br />Most have pointed towards Lundqvist going to his old <a title="Swedish Elite League - the top hockey league in Sweden." style="border-bottom: 1px dotted rgb(0, 0, 0); color: rgb(0, 0, 0); text-decoration: none;">SEL</a> team Frölunda, unless something interesting would come up at the other side of the pond, and now it's official. <a href="http://hockey.expressen.se/elitserien/1.1649415/joel-lundqvist-klar-for-frolunda">According to</a> Lundqvist's agent, Lars Cederström, he will play for Frölunda and if the contract wasn't signed yesterday, it will be within the next few days. The contract is on six years with a clause (NHL-out clause I'm guessing) after each season according to the agent.<br /><br />Frölunda now got 16 forwards under contract and players like Washington's first round pick in the 2008 NHL Draft, <span style="font-weight:bold;"><a href="http://www.eliteprospects.com/player.php?player=6058&lang=en">Anton Gustafsson</a></span>, and Atlanta's 34 overall pick in 2009, <span style="font-weight:bold;"><a href="http://www.eliteprospects.com/player.php?player=9791&lang=en">Carl Klingberg</a></span>, could be two of the first ones to be loaned out to the affiliated team Borås in <a title="The 2nd-tier league in Sweden, which is the league just under the Swedish Elite League." style="border-bottom: 1px dotted rgb(0, 0, 0); color: rgb(0, 0, 0); text-decoration: none;">HockeyAllsvenskan</a>.<br /><span style="font-size:78%;"><span style="color: rgb(255, 255, 255);">.</span></span>Mattiashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07948275252674991948noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15170933.post-85819221588545204232009-07-13T19:12:00.004+02:002009-07-13T19:45:34.093+02:00Engqvist stays one more year in SELThe two-way center <span style="font-weight:bold;"><a href="http://www.eliteprospects.com/player.php?player=6626&lang=en">Andreas Engqvist</a></span> participated in the development camp of the Montreal Canadiens last week and Montreal obviously liked what they saw as he now has <a href="http://canadiens.nhl.com/team/app/?service=page&page=NewsPage&articleid=433400">signed</a> a 3-year contract.<br /><br />Peter Wallén, the agent of Engqvist, commented about the signing at <a href="http://hockey.expressen.se/elitserien/1.1638589/dif-doldisen-klar-for-montreal">Expressen</a>.<br /><br /><blockquote>- They have been after Andreas for a while now. We had discussions with a lot of clubs too, but in the end we thought this was the best alternative, says agent Peter Wallén. <br /><br />- Andreas is very happy and satisfied. Montreal is an NHL team with a rich history.</blockquote><br />It is already decided though that Engqvist will be loaned out and play another year in the <a title="Swedish Elite League - the top hockey league in Sweden." style="border-bottom: 1px dotted rgb(0, 0, 0); color: rgb(0, 0, 0); text-decoration: none;">SEL</a> with Djurgården.<br /><br /><blockquote>- He was injured half last season and we all thought it was good that he gets to play a full season in the SEL before he comes over, says Wallén.</blockquote><br /><span style="font-size:78%;"><span style="color: rgb(255, 255, 255);">.</span></span>Mattiashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07948275252674991948noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15170933.post-87319954225819835492009-07-09T16:38:00.004+02:002009-07-09T16:44:17.328+02:00Homer keeps on goingThe Detroit warrior <span style="font-weight:bold;"><a href="http://hockeyinswenglish.blogspot.com/search/label/tomas%20holmstr%C3%B6m">Tomas Holmström</a></span> will be starting his 13th NHL season since he joined the league as a 23-year-old, but he says in an interview with <a href="http://www.aftonbladet.se/sportbladet/hockeybladet/internationellt/nhl/article5489010.ab">Aftonbladet</a> that he isn't seeing the end just yet.<br /><br /><blockquote>- To continue until I'm 40 years old would be nice. I'm just 36 years so far and it's still damn fun to play hockey. Maybe I can try to beat Chris Chelios record, he is 47 years old, Holmström says.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Eleven more years? You got to be kidding me?</span><br />- (Laugh). I think it's incredibly fun to play. Sure, I'm going towards the end of my career, but this is a lifestyle and I want to keep on going for a couple of more years.</blockquote><br />It's in the NHL that Holmström wants to spend those years and he doubts he will return to Sweden to finish his career. He enjoying being with the Red Wings incredibly much and the same goes for his life outside the club.<br /><br /><blockquote>- Our kids are born and have grown up in Detroit, and we will probably stay here after my retirement. Right now I'm applying for a Green Card and to play in Luleå and Sweden is something I doubt I will do.</blockquote><br />Holmström was part of the Swedish gold medal winning team in the 2006 Olympics. The <a href="http://hockeyinswenglish.blogspot.com/search/label/olympics%202010">upcoming Olympics</a> in Vancouver are closing in very fast and that is something Holmström is really looking forward to.<br /><br />While he loves talking about the Olympics, it becomes obvious that the 2009 Stanley Cup final is something he doesn't like talking about when Aftonbladet ask if he has recovered from it.<br /><br /><blockquote>- No, absolutely not. I almost feel like hanging up now when you start talking about it. That's how hard it is.<br /><br />...<br /><br />- I know how fun it is to win and we had the chance to do it at home ice... It still hurts. And that it will do for a good while yet.</blockquote><br /><span style="color: rgb(255, 255, 255);font-size:78%;" >.</span>Mattiashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07948275252674991948noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15170933.post-78429054772012990532009-07-06T16:49:00.007+02:002009-07-10T02:36:37.533+02:00Wallin confirms Leafs rumor *Updated*<span style="font-weight:bold;"><a href="http://hockeyinswenglish.blogspot.com/search/label/rickard%20wallin">Rickard Wallin</a></span> confirms in <a href="http://www.aftonbladet.se/sportbladet/hockeybladet/sverige/elitserien/farjestad/article5474514.ab">Aftonbladet</a> and <a href="http://hockey.expressen.se/Nyheter/1.1630562/wallin-holl-flytten-hemlig-i-veckor">Expressen</a> today that it is indeed the Toronto Maple Leafs, as the blog wrote yesterday, that wants him. He avoids saying everthing is a done deal just yet though, while <a href="http://mrmadhawk.se/2009/july/storsta-scoopet-var-lattaste-scoopet.html">Johans blogg</a> repeats once again today that it is.<br /><br />The news came as a shock for Färjestad and its fans yesterday, but Wallin says the following to Aftonbladet.<br /><br /><blockquote>- I'm 29 years old, so it's my last chance. I would probably regret it, if I didn't take the chance, he says.</blockquote><br />Wallin's agent, <span style="font-weight:bold;">Craig Oster</span>, says to Expressen that talks with Toronto have been going for a couple of weeks.<br /><br /><blockquote>- Toronto believes he can help the club and they think he has had a good season and a good World Championship. We started talking with them a couple of weeks ago, says Wallin's agent Craig Oster.</blockquote><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">UPDATE JULY 10:</span> It's now <a href="http://www.sportsnet.ca/hockey/2009/07/09/leafs_wallin/">confirmed</a> that Toronto has signed Rickard Wallin.<br /><span style="font-size:78%;"><span style="color: rgb(255, 255, 255);">.</span></span>Mattiashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07948275252674991948noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15170933.post-3023373141020850662009-07-05T15:22:00.002+02:002009-07-06T17:15:36.650+02:00Rickard Wallin to Toronto?According to the reliable blog, <a href="http://mrmadhawk.se/2009/july/bloggen-avslojar-en-bomb-rickard-wallin-till.html">Johans Blogg</a>, Swedish center <span style="font-weight:bold;"><a href="http://www.eliteprospects.com/player.php?player=114">Rickard Wallin</a></span> is returning to the NHL. This time to the Toronto Maple Leafs though instead of the Minnesota Wild.<br /><br />Earlier this year, Wallin signed a 4-year extension with Färjestad in the <a title="Swedish Elite League - the top hockey league in Sweden." style="border-bottom: 1px dotted rgb(0, 0, 0); color: rgb(0, 0, 0); text-decoration: none;">SEL</a>. As you might remember though, he was one of the players in Hockey in Swedish's list of <a title="Swedish Elite League - the top hockey league in Sweden." style="border-bottom: 1px dotted rgb(0, 0, 0); color: rgb(0, 0, 0); text-decoration: none;">SEL</a> players with an NHL-out clause. A clause which he supposedly has used now.<br /><br />Wallin had a <a title="Swedish Elite League - the top hockey league in Sweden." style="border-bottom: 1px dotted rgb(0, 0, 0); color: rgb(0, 0, 0); text-decoration: none;">SEL</a> career-high of 45 points in 55 games this season, which placed him 10th in points in the league. He later went on to win his third Swedish Championship title and then play in his third straight World Championship.<br /><br />This will be his second attempt at making it in the NHL. So far Wallin got 19 NHL games with the Minnesota Wild under his belt and he produced 6 goals and 4 assists in those games.<br /><span style="font-size:78%;"><span style="color: rgb(255, 255, 255);">.</span></span>Mattiashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07948275252674991948noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15170933.post-87644886124119583592009-07-04T00:43:00.012+02:002009-07-06T21:14:24.725+02:00Darren Haydar to Colorado *Updated*<a href="http://hockeyinswenglish.blogspot.com/search/label/modo%20hockey">MODO Hockey</a> in the <a title="Swedish Elite League - the top hockey league in Sweden." style="border-bottom: 1px dotted rgb(0, 0, 0); color: rgb(0, 0, 0); text-decoration: none;">SEL</a> has been showing interest, but now it's apprently official that Canadian Right Winger <span style="font-weight:bold;"><a href="http://www.eliteprospects.com/player.php?player=10985&lang=en">Darren Haydar</a></span> will continue his career in the NHL/AHL.<br /><br />Haydar's agent has confirmed to <a href="http://mrmadhawk.se/2009/july/och-haydar-nu-helt-klar-for-colorado.html">Johans Blogg</a> that the Canadian right winger has signed a contract with the <a href="http://hockeyinswenglish.blogspot.com/search/label/colorado%20avalanche">Colorado Avalanche</a>.<br /><br />Darren has had a successful AHL career so far with for example a league MVP award and a Calder Cup under his belt, but is still working on cracking an NHL roster and become a regular in the big league.<br /><br />Not the biggest of news, but now you got it in English for the first time.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">UPDATE JULY 6:</span> The signing is now <a href="http://avalanche.nhl.com/club/news.htm?id=433537">official</a>.<br /><span style="font-size:78%;"><span style="color: rgb(255, 255, 255);">.</span></span>Mattiashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07948275252674991948noreply@blogger.com323tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15170933.post-2445722208727293662009-07-03T14:11:00.000+02:002009-07-03T17:27:56.213+02:00Who will report to the CHL?In case you missed it, the <a href="http://chl.ca/importDraft.php">CHL Import Draft</a> took place on June 30. A record 12 Swedish players were selected in the Draft with <a href="http://hockeyinswenglish.blogspot.com/search/label/gabriel%20landeskog">Gabriel Landeskog</a> leading the way as the 3rd pick overall.<br /><br />Swedish players aren't known to make the jump to the Canadian juniors, but will this year be different? To try and answer this, I have taken the time to find information about as many players as possible of the Swedish players selected. I also did the same thing with the two Danish players selected, who played in Sweden last season.<br /><br />From the early looks of it, it seems like a lot of these players will report to their respective teams. One thing is for sure though, <a href="http://hockeyinswenglish.blogspot.com/2008/06/william-walln-to-ohl.html">last year's</a> list seems incredibly small and weak compare to this year's. So enjoy!<br /><br /><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-weight:bold;">3. <a href="http://www.eliteprospects.com/player.php?player=10393&lang=en">Gabriel Landeskog</a>, RW, Djurgården (<a title="Short name for Sweden's top U20 league." style="border-bottom: 1px dotted rgb(0, 0, 0); color: rgb(0, 0, 0); text-decoration: none;">J20</a>/<a title="Swedish Elite League - the top hockey league in Sweden." style="border-bottom: 1px dotted rgb(0, 0, 0); color: rgb(0, 0, 0); text-decoration: none;">SEL</a>) —> Plymouth (OHL)</span><br />According to <a href="http://www.hockeymagasinet.com/hockeynyheter/chl-import-draft-gabriel-landeskog-chl-draftad">Hockeymagasinet.com</a>, it is relatively certain that Landeskog will make the jump and play for Plymouth. Gabriel has avoided the signing of a contract with Djurgården's senior team all summer so far and the site says it has been a dream of his to play in the Canadian juniors.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">9. <a href="http://www.eliteprospects.com/player.php?player=9796&lang=en">Robin Lehner</a>, G, Frölunda (<a title="Short name for Sweden's top U20 league." style="border-bottom: 1px dotted rgb(0, 0, 0); color: rgb(0, 0, 0); text-decoration: none;">J20</a>) —> Sault Ste. Marie (OHL)</span><br />Hockey in Swengligh wrote <a href="http://hockeyinswenglish.blogspot.com/2009/06/top-ranked-goalie-to-canada-next-season.html">before</a> about how Lehner was interested in moving to the CHL. <a href="http://hockey.expressen.se/Nyheter/1.1622529/frolundatalang-valjer-kanada">Apparently</a> the Ottawa prospect made his decision during the NHL Draft and will indeed make the jump.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">23. <a href="http://www.eliteprospects.com/player.php?player=7045&lang=en">Alexander Urbom</a>, D, Djurgården (<a title="Short name for Sweden's top U20 league." style="border-bottom: 1px dotted rgb(0, 0, 0); color: rgb(0, 0, 0); text-decoration: none;">J20</a>/<a title="Swedish Elite League - the top hockey league in Sweden." style="border-bottom: 1px dotted rgb(0, 0, 0); color: rgb(0, 0, 0); text-decoration: none;">SEL</a>) —> Brandon (WHL)</span><br />The Devils prospect Urbom has been rumored to sign with a team in <a title="The 2nd-tier league in Sweden, which is the league just under the Swedish Elite League." style="border-bottom: 1px dotted rgb(0, 0, 0); color: rgb(0, 0, 0); text-decoration: none;">HockeyAllsvenskan</a> for next season. <a href="http://www.hockeysverige.se/blogg_show_angaende-urbom.html?id=8047369">EP Blog</a> had a talk with his agent, Peter Werner, who said that it was expected that one CHL team would take a chance on Urbom. Nothing is done though and the agent was going to have a chat with Alex about it. So <a title="The 2nd-tier league in Sweden, which is the league just under the Swedish Elite League." style="border-bottom: 1px dotted rgb(0, 0, 0); color: rgb(0, 0, 0); text-decoration: none;">HockeyAllsvenskan</a> or WHL for Urbom.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">26. <a href="http://www.eliteprospects.com/player.php?player=6946">Fredrik Cedergren</a>, RW, HV71 (<a title="Short name for Sweden's top U20 league." style="border-bottom: 1px dotted rgb(0, 0, 0); color: rgb(0, 0, 0); text-decoration: none;">J20</a>) —> Prince Albert (WHL)</span><br />Bama's Blogg has <a href="http://bamasblogg.blogspot.com/2009/04/silly-season-j20.html">reported</a> earlier about Cedergren looking to play college hockey in the USA next season. That blog <a href="http://bamasblogg.blogspot.com/2009/06/fredrik-cedergren.html">speculates</a> now that it is likely Fredrik will report, because of the earlier reports already saying he is on the way to North America.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">41. <a href="http://www.eliteprospects.com/player.php?player=20380">John Persson</a>, RW, Mora (<a title="Short name for Sweden's top U18 league." style="border-bottom: 1px dotted rgb(0, 0, 0); color: rgb(0, 0, 0); text-decoration: none;">J18</a>/<a title="Short name for Sweden's top U20 league." style="border-bottom: 1px dotted rgb(0, 0, 0); color: rgb(0, 0, 0); text-decoration: none;">J20</a>) —> Red Deer (WHL)</span><br />The info Red Deer Rebels head coach/vice-president of hockey operations Jesse Wallin has gotten is that Persson will be coming over for sure. You can read Wallin's quote <a href="http://www.albertalocalnews.com/sports/Picking_in_the_dark_49682577.html">here</a>.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">45. <a href="http://www.eliteprospects.com/player.php?player=6941">Patrik Andersson</a>, D, Brynäs (<a title="Short name for Sweden's top U20 league." style="border-bottom: 1px dotted rgb(0, 0, 0); color: rgb(0, 0, 0); text-decoration: none;">J20</a>) —> Kitchener (OHL)</span><br />There has been <a href="http://www.hockeymagasinet.com/hockeynyheter/chl-import-draft-gabriel-landeskog-chl-draftad">rumors</a> about Andersson going to Borås in <a title="The 2nd-tier league in Sweden, which is the league just under the Swedish Elite League." style="border-bottom: 1px dotted rgb(0, 0, 0); color: rgb(0, 0, 0); text-decoration: none;">HockeyAllsvenskan</a>. Kitchener <a href="http://kitchenerrangers.com/main.asp?page_name=/display_news.asp?newsid=1523">traded</a> for this pick on Draft day though, which makes you wonder if they maybe know he will come over. That's just me speculating though.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">57. <a href="http://www.eliteprospects.com/player.php?player=10080&lang=en">Hampus Gustafsson</a>, LW, Malmö (<a title="Short name for Sweden's top U20 league." style="border-bottom: 1px dotted rgb(0, 0, 0); color: rgb(0, 0, 0); text-decoration: none;">J20</a>/<a title="The 2nd-tier league in Sweden, which is the league just under the Swedish Elite League." style="border-bottom: 1px dotted rgb(0, 0, 0); color: rgb(0, 0, 0); text-decoration: none;">SWE-2</a>) —> Saskatoon (WHL)</span><br />It was expected that Gustafsson would get drafted. In an <a href="http://mrmadhawk.se/2009/july/gustafsson-och-berglund-klara-for-whl.html">interview</a> with Johans Blogg, he confirms that he will go over and try to make the team.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">61. <a href="http://www.eliteprospects.com/player.php?player=9007">Victor Hertzberg</a>, RW, Frölunda (<a title="Short name for Sweden's top U20 league." style="border-bottom: 1px dotted rgb(0, 0, 0); color: rgb(0, 0, 0); text-decoration: none;">J20</a>) —> Cape Breton (QMJHL)</span><br />General Manager and Head Coach of Cape Breton, Mario Durocher, <a href="http://www.capebretoneagles.com/news/view/248">says</a> he has been in contact with Hertzberg almost every day in the last week and that Victor is excited to be coming over.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">62. <a href="http://www.eliteprospects.com/player.php?player=14194">Kalle Ekelund</a>, D, Nybro (<a title="The 2nd-tier league in Sweden, which is the league just under the Swedish Elite League." style="border-bottom: 1px dotted rgb(0, 0, 0); color: rgb(0, 0, 0); text-decoration: none;">SWE-2</a>) —> London (OHL)</span><br />Ekelund says in an <a href="http://www.barometern.se/sporten/vikingen-blir-riddare%281404810%29.gm">interview</a> with Barometern that the goal is to play with London next season and he is very excited about being drafted by them.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">64. <a href="http://www.eliteprospects.com/player.php?player=10379">Jacob Berglund</a>, LW, Malmö (<a title="Short name for Sweden's top U20 league." style="border-bottom: 1px dotted rgb(0, 0, 0); color: rgb(0, 0, 0); text-decoration: none;">J20</a>/<a title="The 2nd-tier league in Sweden, which is the league just under the Swedish Elite League." style="border-bottom: 1px dotted rgb(0, 0, 0); color: rgb(0, 0, 0); text-decoration: none;">SWE-2</a>) —> Portland (WHL)</span><br />Jacke confirms his plans of reporting to Portland in the newspaper Kvällsposten, which came as no surprise. Check out <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C4oPZ6wflIM&fmt=18">this YouTube clip</a> of him, that I uploaded last fall.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">71. <a href="http://www.eliteprospects.com/player.php?player=10658">Sebastian Svendsen</a>, C/W, Frölunda (<a title="Short name for Sweden's top U20 league." style="border-bottom: 1px dotted rgb(0, 0, 0); color: rgb(0, 0, 0); text-decoration: none;">J20</a>) — > Vancouver (WHL)</span><br />Svendsen was the first Dane picked in the Draft. He says to the Danish site, <a href="http://www.hockeymagasinet.dk/news/item.asp?id=17431">Hockeymagasinet</a>, that he was surprised by Vancouver drafting him as it wasn't a team he had talked with. Svendsen is planning on making the jump, but he is under contract with Frölunda and a few details must be worked out first.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">74. <a href="http://www.eliteprospects.com/player.php?player=11062">Oskar Orrpars</a>, D, Djurgården (<a title="Short name for Sweden's top U18 league." style="border-bottom: 1px dotted rgb(0, 0, 0); color: rgb(0, 0, 0); text-decoration: none;">J18</a>) —> Lewiston (QMJHL)</span><br />Orrpars has come over and played a lot for Lewiston GM Roger Shannon's V-Reds development program in Fredericton, New Brunswick. Shannon <a href="http://www.sunjournal.com/node/25779">says</a> he was able to convince Oskar to come over to North America and play full-time.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">75. <a href="http://www.eliteprospects.com/player.php?player=13351&lang=en">Ted Brithén</a>, C, Rögle (<a title="Short name for Sweden's top U20 league." style="border-bottom: 1px dotted rgb(0, 0, 0); color: rgb(0, 0, 0); text-decoration: none;">J20</a>/<a title="Swedish Elite League - the top hockey league in Sweden." style="border-bottom: 1px dotted rgb(0, 0, 0); color: rgb(0, 0, 0); text-decoration: none;">SEL</a>) —> Sarnia (OHL)</span><br />Brithén <a href="http://www.roglebk.nu/j20">confirms</a> through Rögle's homepage that he will play for Sarnia next season. He sees it as a step in his developement to take a spot on Rögle's senior team within a couple of years.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">76. <a href="http://www.eliteprospects.com/player.php?player=13018">Rasmus Damgaard</a>, D, Malmö (<a title="Short name for Sweden's top U20 league." style="border-bottom: 1px dotted rgb(0, 0, 0); color: rgb(0, 0, 0); text-decoration: none;">J20</a>) —> Medicine Hat (WHL)</span><br />Willie Desjardin, the GM and head coach of the Tigers, <a href="http://tigerturf.blogspot.com/2009/07/more-about-euros.html">says</a> there is a 50-50 chance Danish defenseman Damgaard will stay and play back in Europe this season. Rasmus got a newly signed 1-year contract with Hvidovre in the Danish top league, which is probably what is causing the problems.</span><br /><span style="font-size:78%;"><span style="color: rgb(255, 255, 255);">.</span></span>Mattiashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07948275252674991948noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15170933.post-25792397702329518042009-07-02T14:34:00.006+02:002009-07-02T17:48:55.610+02:00Sweden's roster to Ivan Hlinka MemorialSweden roster for the 2009 <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ivan_Hlinka_Memorial_Tournament">Ivan Hlinka Memorial Tournament</a>, which also is known as the U18 Junior World Cup, was <a href="http://www.swehockey.se/ImageVault/Images/id_2718/ImageVaultHandler.aspx">announced</a> today. The tournament will take place in August 11-15.<br /><br />Players to keep an extra eye on are <span style="font-weight:bold;"><a href="http://www.eliteprospects.com/player.php?player=10713&lang=en">Adam Larsson</a></span>, <span style="font-weight:bold;"><a href="http://www.eliteprospects.com/player.php?player=10393&lang=en">Gabriel Landeskog</a></span> and <span style="font-weight:bold;"><a href="http://www.eliteprospects.com/player.php?player=13022&lang=en">Victor Öhman</a></span>, who all look like possible top picks (Öhman in 2010 NHL Draft, the others in 2011).<br /><br />All these three players have already tried out senior hockey and both Larsson and Öhman will next season be part of their respective organization's senior team. Landeskog, on the other hand, <a href="http://chl.ca/importDraft.php">looks</a> to be heading to the Plymouth Whalers of the OHL.<br /><br /><span style="font-size:85%;">SEL: Swedish Elite League (top league in Sweden)<br />SWE-2: HockeyAllsvenskan (division under SEL)<br />SWE-3: Division 1 (division under SWE-2)<br />U18 and U20: The U18/U20 leagues in Sweden<br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Goalies:</span><br /><a href="http://www.eliteprospects.com/player.php?player=10306">Johan Gustafsson</a>, Skåre (SWE-3) - 2010 NHL Draft<br /><a href="http://www.eliteprospects.com/player.php?player=16774">Stefan Steen</a>, Leksand (U18) - 2011<br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Defensemen:</span><br /><a href="http://www.eliteprospects.com/player.php?player=10714">Johan Alm</a>, Skellefteå (U20) - 2010<br /><a href="http://www.eliteprospects.com/player.php?player=10713&lang=en">Adam Larsson</a>, Skellefteå (U20/SEL) - 2011<br /><a href="http://www.eliteprospects.com/player.php?player=14989">Victor Berglind</a>, Brynäs (U20) - 2011<br /><a href="http://www.eliteprospects.com/player.php?player=13188">Karl Johansson</a>, Brynäs (U18) - 2011<br /><a href="http://www.eliteprospects.com/player.php?player=13319">Daniel Gunnarsson</a>, Leksand (U20) - 2010<br /><a href="http://www.eliteprospects.com/player.php?player=10383">Patrik Nemeth</a>, AIK (U20) - 2010<br /><a href="http://www.eliteprospects.com/player.php?player=23547">Jonathan Nielsen</a>, Linköping (U18) - 2011<br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Forwards:</span><br /><a href="http://www.eliteprospects.com/player.php?player=10393&lang=en">Gabriel Landeskog</a>, Djurgården (U20/SEL) - 2011<br /><a href="http://www.eliteprospects.com/player.php?player=10388">Fredric Weigel</a>, Djurgården (U18) - 2010<br /><a href="http://www.eliteprospects.com/player.php?player=9009&lang=en">Johan Larsson</a>, Brynäs (U20) - 2010<br /><a href="http://www.eliteprospects.com/player.php?player=13161">Ludvig Rensfeldt</a>, Brynäs (U18) - 2010<br /><a href="http://www.eliteprospects.com/player.php?player=13142">Sebastian Ottosson</a>, Linköping (U18) - 2010<br /><a href="http://www.eliteprospects.com/player.php?player=10712&lang=en">Adam Pettersson</a>, Skellefteå (U20) - 2010<br /><a href="http://www.eliteprospects.com/player.php?player=18332">Joakim Nordström</a>, AIK (U18) - 2010<br /><a href="http://www.eliteprospects.com/player.php?player=17435">Rickard Rakell</a>, AIK (U18) - 2011<br /><a href="http://www.eliteprospects.com/player.php?player=13022&lang=en">Victor Öhman</a>, Malmö (U20/SWE-2) - 2010<br /><a href="http://www.eliteprospects.com/player.php?player=16727">Johan Sundström</a>, Frölunda (U18) - 2011<br /><a href="http://www.eliteprospects.com/player.php?player=15747">Victor Rask</a>, Leksand (U18) - 2011<br /><a href="http://www.eliteprospects.com/player.php?player=13038">Erik Thorell</a>, Färjestad (U18) - 2010</span><br /><span style="font-size:78%;"><span style="color: rgb(255, 255, 255);">.</span></span>Mattiashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07948275252674991948noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15170933.post-16899432977653552932009-07-02T02:43:00.009+02:002009-07-02T04:58:12.474+02:00Available SEL players?It's July and the NHL Free Agency Frenzy has started again.<br /><br />As there still is <a href="http://hockeyinswenglish.blogspot.com/2009/06/sel-rejects-transfer-agreement.html">no transfer agreement</a> between Sweden and the NHL, players with <a title="Swedish Elite League - the top hockey league in Sweden." style="border-bottom: 1px dotted rgb(0, 0, 0); color: rgb(0, 0, 0); text-decoration: none;">SEL</a> contracts have to have an NHL-out clause to be able to sign with an NHL team.<br /><br />I found a <a href="http://www.aftonbladet.se/sportbladet/hockeybladet/sverige/elitserien/article5455590.ab">list</a> that consisted of players with an NHL-out clause, but it only listed some of the <a title="Swedish Elite League - the top hockey league in Sweden." style="border-bottom: 1px dotted rgb(0, 0, 0); color: rgb(0, 0, 0); text-decoration: none;">SEL</a> teams. I ending up using it as a base to assemble a list with players with a <a title="Swedish Elite League - the top hockey league in Sweden." style="border-bottom: 1px dotted rgb(0, 0, 0); color: rgb(0, 0, 0); text-decoration: none;">SEL</a> contract, but who are available to sign with <span style="font-weight:bold;">any</span> NHL team (at least now in July).<br /><br />The list is probably still missing a lot of names as it's hard to get info about these things, but I will update it if I find out about any other players.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;"><a href="http://www.eliteprospects.com/player.php?player=339">Lars Jonsson</a></span>, D (Brynäs) - 53GP, 9G, 12A, 21P<br /><span style="font-weight:bold;"><a href="http://www.eliteprospects.com/player.php?player=2671">Riku Hahl</a></span>, C (Frölunda) - 52GP, 7G, 24A, 31P<br /><span style="font-weight:bold;"><a href="http://hockeyinswenglish.blogspot.com/search/label/johan%20holmqvist">Johan Holmqvist</a></span>, G (Frölunda) - 49GP, 2.15GAA, .917SVS%, 2SO<br /><span style="font-weight:bold;"><a href="http://hockeyinswenglish.blogspot.com/search/label/per%20ledin">Per Ledin</a></span>, LW/RW (HV71) - 58GP, 11G, 12A, 23P (AHL)<br /><span style="font-weight:bold;"><a href="http://www.eliteprospects.com/player.php?player=3247">Mikko Lehtonen</a></span>, D (Frölunda) - 41GP, 15G, 15A, 30P<br /><span style="font-weight:bold;"><a href="http://www.eliteprospects.com/player.php?player=4278">Janne Niskala</a></span>, D (Frölunda) - 35GP, 9G, 10A, 19P<br /><span style="font-weight:bold;"><a href="http://www.eliteprospects.com/player.php?player=114">Rickard Wallin</a></span>, C/LW (Färjestad) - 55GP, 18G, 27A, 45P<br /><br />Also, for the fun of it, here are the current three <a href="http://www.eliteprospects.com/free_agent_pool.php?LeagueID=Elitserien">SEL Free Agents</a> that had most points last season plus a joker:<br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;"><a href="http://www.eliteprospects.com/player.php?player=205&lang=en">Fredrik Bremberg</a></span>, LW (Djurgården) - 53GP, 17G, 40A, 57P<br /><span style="font-weight:bold;"><a href="http://www.eliteprospects.com/player.php?player=7526">Mika Pyörälä</a></span>, LW/C (Timrå) - 55GP, 21G, 22A, 43P<br /><span style="font-weight:bold;"><a href="http://www.eliteprospects.com/player.php?player=22">Niklas Anger</a></span>, RW/LW (Djurgården) - 51GP, 23G, 19A, 42P<br /><span style="font-weight:bold;"><a href="http://hockeyinswenglish.blogspot.com/search/label/peter%20forsberg">Peter Forsberg</a></span>, C (MODO) - 3GP, 1G, 2A, 3GP<br /><br />The all-time leading scorer in the <a title="Swedish Elite League - the top hockey league in Sweden." style="border-bottom: 1px dotted rgb(0, 0, 0); color: rgb(0, 0, 0); text-decoration: none;">SEL</a>, Bremberg (did you know that?), and the guy with the funny lastname, Anger, will probably not attract interested from the NHL and might head out in Europe (KHL?). Pyörälä might be looking to try and make it onto an NHL roster through camp/AHL.<br /><br />Forsberg? Well who knows about his future? Probably not even him.<br /><span style="font-size:78%;"><span style="color: rgb(255, 255, 255);">.</span></span>Mattiashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07948275252674991948noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15170933.post-78102615185301078692009-06-30T15:00:00.007+02:002009-06-30T19:05:50.283+02:00Sedins updateYesterday, a lot of websites reported that <span style="font-weight:bold;">Mike Gillis</span>, GM of the <a href="http://hockeyinswenglish.blogspot.com/search/label/vancouver%20canucks">Vancouver Canucks</a>, was flying to Sweden to talk with the soon-to-be UFAs <span style="font-weight:bold;"><a href="http://www.eliteprospects.com/player.php?player=737">Daniel</a></span> and <span style="font-weight:bold;"><a href="http://www.eliteprospects.com/player.php?player=738">Henrik</a> Sedin</span>.<br /><br />While the twins seem to have appreciated the gesture by Gillis, it also seems like not much have changed and the Sedins are still planning on testing the market on July 1. At least judging by Henrik Sedin's comment in <a href="http://www.aftonbladet.se/sportbladet/hockeybladet/internationellt/nhl/article5451632.ab">Aftonbladet</a>.<br /><br /><blockquote>- It was nice that they flew over to see us. We met and talked a bit. They want to give their view on the whole thing and present what they think.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">What happens now?</span><br />- We have to wait and see what happens. We have said what we want, but there are some differences of opinion. We will see what happens tomorrow.</blockquote><br /><span style="font-size:78%;"><span style="color: rgb(255, 255, 255);">.</span></span>Mattiashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07948275252674991948noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15170933.post-30554076043111661092009-06-28T18:59:00.005+02:002009-06-30T19:09:08.841+02:00Oduya remains a Devil *Updated again*According to <a href="http://www.aftonbladet.se/sportbladet/hockeybladet/internationellt/nhl/article5441472.ab">Aftonbladet</a>, it will soon be announced that <span style="font-weight:bold;"><a href="http://www.eliteprospects.com/player.php?player=1015">Johnny Oduya</a></span> has re-signed with the <a href="http://hockeyinswenglish.blogspot.com/search/label/new%20jersey%20devils">New Jersey Devils</a>. The 27-year-old defenseman would have become an UFA on July 1, but now it looks like he will stay with the Devils instead.<br /><br />After a couple of very solid seasons, with 29 points and and a plus-21 in 2008-09, he is now expected to get a big raise. According to Aftonbladet, the contract is on a bit over $3 million per year, but no words on the length.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Update 1:</span> It appears that Devils GM <span style="font-weight:bold;">Lou Lamoriello</span> has <a href="http://njmg.typepad.com/devilsblog/2009/06/lamoriello-nothing-done-with-oduya.html">denied</a> that it is a done deal. So I guess we will have to wait and see if there was any truth to Aftonbladet's article. In my experience though, if there is something Aftonbladet is good at, it is fishing up info about Swedish players signing in the NHL.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Update 2:</span> Not surprising, the Devils <a href="http://devils.nhl.com/team/app/?service=page&page=NewsPage&articleid=432232">confirmed</a> the re-signing today.<br /><br /><blockquote>"We are delighted to have Johnny Oduya stay with the organization," said Lamoriello. "He has developed into one of the more talented young defensemen in the National Hockey League."</blockquote><br /><span style="font-size:1%;"><span style="color: rgb(255, 255, 255);">.</span></span>Mattiashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07948275252674991948noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15170933.post-33006978833016719872009-06-26T21:03:00.006+02:002009-06-26T22:36:21.243+02:00More draft predictionsTime for some more 2009 NHL Draft predictions from Sweden. This time from the creator of <a href="http://www.eliteprospects.com">EliteProspects</a>, <span style="font-weight:bold;">Johan Nilsson</span> and his <a href="http://hockeysverige.se/blogg_show_dags-att-tippa-nhl-draften.html?id=7981553">blog</a>.<br /><br />Nilsson has tried to predict where Swedish players will go in the draft. He thinks 29 Swedes will be drafted, which would be 12 more than last year.<br /><br /><span style="font-size:85%;">SEL: Swedish Elite League (top league in Sweden)<br />SWE-2: HockeyAllsvenskan (division under SEL)<br />SWE-3: Division 1 (division under SWE-2)<br />U18 and U20: The U18/U20 leagues in Sweden<br />OHL: Ontario Hockey League<br />USHS: United States High School<br />*: Player has been passed over in earlier draft(s).<br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">1st round</span><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;"><a href="http://www.eliteprospects.com/player.php?player=6007&lang=en">Victor Hedman</a></span>, D, MODO (SEL) - Top 3<br /><span style="font-weight:bold;"><a href="http://www.eliteprospects.com/player.php?player=7693&lang=en">Oliver Ekman-Larsson</a></span>, D, Leksand (SWE-2) - Top 10<br /><span style="font-weight:bold;"><a href="http://www.eliteprospects.com/player.php?player=6014&lang=en">Magnus Pääjärvi-Svensson</a></span>, LW, Timrå (SEL) - Top 10<br /><span style="font-weight:bold;"><a href="http://www.eliteprospects.com/player.php?player=7069&lang=en">David Rundblad</a></span>, D, Skellefteå (SEL) - Top 20<br /><span style="font-weight:bold;"><a href="http://www.eliteprospects.com/player.php?player=7655&lang=en">Jacob Josefson</a></span>, C, Djurgården (SEL) - Top 25<br /><span style="font-weight:bold;"><a href="http://www.eliteprospects.com/player.php?player=6051&lang=en">Tim Erixon</a></span>, D, Skellefteå (SEL) - Top 30<br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">2nd Round</span><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;"><a href="http://www.eliteprospects.com/player.php?player=9791&lang=en">Carl Klingberg</a></span>, RW, Frölunda (U20)<br /><span style="font-weight:bold;"><a href="http://www.eliteprospects.com/player.php?player=6225&lang=en">Marcus Johansson</a></span>, C/LW Färjestad (SEL)<br /><span style="font-weight:bold;"><a href="http://www.eliteprospects.com/player.php?player=6016&lang=en">Anton Lander</a></span>, C/LW, Timrå (SEL)<br /><span style="font-weight:bold;"><a href="http://www.eliteprospects.com/player.php?player=9796&lang=en">Robin Lehner</a></span>, G, Frölunda (U20)<br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">3rd round</span><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;"><a href="http://www.eliteprospects.com/player.php?player=6562&lang=en">Jakob Silfverberg</a></span>, RW/LW, Brynäs (SEL/U20)<br /><span style="font-weight:bold;"><a href="http://www.eliteprospects.com/player.php?player=7084&lang=en">Anton Rödin</a></span>, LW, Brynäs (U20)<br /><span style="font-weight:bold;"><a href="http://www.eliteprospects.com/player.php?player=11173&lang=en">Simon Bertilsson</a></span>, D, Brynäs (SEL/U20)<br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">4th round</span><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;"><a href="http://www.eliteprospects.com/player.php?player=7101&lang=en">Henrik Björklund</a></span>, RW, Skåre (SWE-3)<br /><span style="font-weight:bold;"><a href="http://www.eliteprospects.com/player.php?player=7045&lang=en">Alexander Urbom</a></span>, D, Djurgården (U20)<br /><span style="font-weight:bold;"><a href="http://www.eliteprospects.com/player.php?player=7234&lang=en">Anton Blomqvist</a></span>*, D, Malmö (SWE-2/U20)<br /><span style="font-weight:bold;"><a href="http://www.eliteprospects.com/player.php?player=6021&lang=en">Mattias Lindström</a></span>, LW/C, Skellefteå (U20)<br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">5th round</span><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;"><a href="http://www.eliteprospects.com/player.php?player=5591&lang=en">Anders Nilsson</a></span>*, G, Luleå (U20)<br /><span style="font-weight:bold;"><a href="http://www.eliteprospects.com/player.php?player=8311&lang=en">Marcus Krüger</a></span>*, C/RW, Djurgården <br /><span style="font-weight:bold;"><a href="http://www.eliteprospects.com/player.php?player=9789&lang=en">Jonathan Johansson</a></span>, C, Frölunda (U20)<br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">6th round</span><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;"><a href="http://www.eliteprospects.com/player.php?player=6047&lang=en">Patrik Cehlin</a></span>, RW, Djurgården (U20)<br /><span style="font-weight:bold;"><a href="http://www.eliteprospects.com/player.php?player=7054&lang=en">Alexander Fällström</a></span>, RW, Shattuck St. Mary's (USHS)<br /><span style="font-weight:bold;"><a href="http://www.eliteprospects.com/player.php?player=9778&lang=en">Simon Löf</a></span>, D, Brynäs (U20)<br /><span style="font-weight:bold;"><a href="http://www.eliteprospects.com/player.php?player=10380&lang=en">Martin Karlsson</a></span>, RW, Leksand (U20)<br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">7th round</span><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;"><a href="http://www.eliteprospects.com/player.php?player=6048&lang=en">William Wallén</a></span>, LW, Mississugua (OHL)<br /><span style="font-weight:bold;"><a href="http://www.eliteprospects.com/player.php?player=13538&lang=en">Viktor Svedberg</a></span>, D, Rögle (U20)<br /><span style="font-weight:bold;"><a href="http://www.eliteprospects.com/player.php?player=7797&lang=en">Andreas Gröndahl</a></span>*, RW, Södertälje (U20)<br /><span style="font-weight:bold;"><a href="http://www.eliteprospects.com/player.php?player=4513&lang=en">Simon Önerud</a></span>*, LW, HV71 (SEL)<br /><span style="font-weight:bold;"><a href="http://www.eliteprospects.com/player.php?player=10071&lang=en">Peter Andersson</a></span>, D, Frölunda (U20)</span><br /><br />Right Winger Alexander Fällström (6th round) is the only player seen on this list, who isn't on Hockeymagasinet's Top 50 that I posted <a href="http://hockeyinswenglish.blogspot.com/2009/06/09-draft-hockeymagasinets-top-50.html">earlier</a>.<br /><br />Johan Nilsson has also listed his five favorite players of those who he doesn't think will be drafted.<br /><br /><span style="font-size:85%;">1. <span style="font-weight:bold;"><a href="http://www.eliteprospects.com/player.php?player=13750&lang=en">Markus Nilsson</a></span>, C, Troja-Ljungby (U20)<br />2. <span style="font-weight:bold;"><a href="http://www.eliteprospects.com/player.php?player=10080&lang=en">Hampus Gustafsson</a></span>, LW, Malmö (SWE-2/U20)<br />3. <span style="font-weight:bold;"><a href="http://www.eliteprospects.com/player.php?player=10378&lang=en">Adam Almquist</a></span>, D, HV71 (U20)<br />4. <span style="font-weight:bold;"><a href="http://www.eliteprospects.com/player.php?player=13005">Petter Emanuelsson</a></span>, C, Skellefteå (U20)<br />5. <span style="font-weight:bold;"><a href="http://www.eliteprospects.com/player.php?player=5763&lang=en">Mark Owuya</a></span>*, G, Almtuna (SWE-2)</span><br /><br />Markus Nilsson, Hampus Gustafsson and Petter Emanuelsson are players not mentioned in the Top 50, while Adam Almquist is ranked 33th and Mark Owuya is ranked 22th.<br />Players to keep an eye for the future or maybe even this year's draft?<br /><span style="font-size:78%;"><span style="color: rgb(255, 255, 255);">.</span></span>Mattiashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07948275252674991948noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15170933.post-22578042755634975292009-06-26T17:17:00.007+02:002009-06-26T22:51:37.554+02:0009 Draft: Hockeymagasinet's Top 50Just like last year (<a href="http://hockeyinswenglish.blogspot.com/2008/06/08-draft-hockeymagasinets-top-50.html">here</a> and <a href="http://hockeyinswenglish.blogspot.com/2008/06/08-draft-hockeymagasinets-top-50-part-2.html">here</a>), Hockeymagasinet.com's <span style="font-weight:bold;">Anders Östberg</span> has ranked the <a href="http://www.hockeymagasinet.com/hockeynyheter/infor-nhl-draften-hms-topp50-5-1">top 50</a> Swedish players (plus Danish and Norwegian players playing in Sweden) for the <a href="http://hockeyinswenglish.blogspot.com/search/label/09%20nhl%20draft">2009 NHL Draft</a>. Östberg's criterias for the ranking is the same as last year, so I will just quote what I said last year.<br /><br /><blockquote>He mentions in the introduction text to the list, that it's not just about who will turn into the best player. Instead he takes the NHL into consideration (style of playing, small rinks etc) and sees if the player would be able to fill a role there one day. So a player that has the potential to become a great SEL player one day, might still end up lower on the list because he would never fit in the NHL. Also being passed over in earlier drafts will affect the player's ranking.</blockquote><br />Ok, here we go!<br /><br /><span style="font-size:85%;">SEL: Swedish Elite League (top league in Sweden)<br />SWE-2: HockeyAllsvenskan (division under SEL)<br />SWE-3: Division 1 (division under SWE-2)<br />U18 and U20: The U18/U20 leagues in Sweden<br />OHL: Ontario Hockey League<br />*: Player has been passed over in earlier draft(s).<br /><br />1. <span style="font-weight:bold;"><a href="http://www.eliteprospects.com/player.php?player=6007&lang=en">Victor Hedman</a></span>, D, MODO (SEL)<br />2. <span style="font-weight:bold;"><a href="http://www.eliteprospects.com/player.php?player=6014&lang=en">Magnus Pääjärvi-Svensson</a></span>, LW, Timrå (SEL)<br />3. <span style="font-weight:bold;"><a href="http://www.eliteprospects.com/player.php?player=7693&lang=en">Oliver Ekman-Larsson</a></span>, D, Leksand (SWE-2)<br />4. <span style="font-weight:bold;"><a href="http://www.eliteprospects.com/player.php?player=7069&lang=en">David Rundblad</a></span>, D, Skellefteå (SEL)<br />5. <span style="font-weight:bold;"><a href="http://www.eliteprospects.com/player.php?player=7655&lang=en">Jacob Josefson</a></span>, C, Djurgården (SEL)<br />6. <span style="font-weight:bold;"><a href="http://www.eliteprospects.com/player.php?player=6051&lang=en">Tim Erixon</a></span>, D, Skellefteå (SEL)<br />7. <span style="font-weight:bold;"><a href="http://www.eliteprospects.com/player.php?player=9791&lang=en">Carl Klingberg</a></span>, RW, Frölunda (U20)<br />8. <span style="font-weight:bold;"><a href="http://www.eliteprospects.com/player.php?player=7084&lang=en">Anton Rödin</a></span>, LW, Brynäs (U20)<br />9. <span style="font-weight:bold;"><a href="http://www.eliteprospects.com/player.php?player=11173&lang=en">Simon Bertilsson</a></span>, D, Brynäs (SEL/U20)<br />10. <span style="font-weight:bold;"><a href="http://www.eliteprospects.com/player.php?player=6225&lang=en">Marcus Johansson</a></span>, C/LW Färjestad (SEL)<br />11. <span style="font-weight:bold;"><a href="http://www.eliteprospects.com/player.php?player=8311&lang=en">Marcus Krüger</a></span>*, C/RW, Djurgården (SEL/U20)<br />12. <span style="font-weight:bold;"><a href="http://www.eliteprospects.com/player.php?player=7045&lang=en">Alexander Urbom</a></span>, D, Djurgården (U20)<br />13. <span style="font-weight:bold;"><a href="http://www.eliteprospects.com/player.php?player=6016&lang=en">Anton Lander</a></span>, C/LW, Timrå (SEL)<br />14. <span style="font-weight:bold;"><a href="http://www.eliteprospects.com/player.php?player=6047&lang=en">Patrik Cehlin</a></span>, RW, Djurgården (U20)<br />15. <span style="font-weight:bold;"><a href="http://www.eliteprospects.com/player.php?player=7797&lang=en">Andreas Gröndahl</a></span>*, RW, Södertälje (U20)<br />16. <span style="font-weight:bold;"><a href="http://www.eliteprospects.com/player.php?player=6021&lang=en">Mattias Lindström</a></span>, LW/C, Skellefteå (U20)<br />17. <span style="font-weight:bold;"><a href="http://www.eliteprospects.com/player.php?player=13538&lang=en">Viktor Svedberg</a></span>, D, Rögle (U20)<br />18. <span style="font-weight:bold;"><a href="http://www.eliteprospects.com/player.php?player=7234&lang=en">Anton Blomqvist</a></span>*, D, Malmö (SWE-2/U20)<br />19. <span style="font-weight:bold;"><a href="http://www.eliteprospects.com/player.php?player=6562&lang=en">Jakob Silfverberg</a></span>, RW/LW, Brynäs (SEL/U20)<br />20. <span style="font-weight:bold;"><a href="http://www.eliteprospects.com/player.php?player=5591&lang=en">Anders Nilsson</a></span>*, G, Luleå (U20)<br />21. <span style="font-weight:bold;"><a href="http://www.eliteprospects.com/player.php?player=10380&lang=en">Martin Karlsson</a></span>, RW, Leksand (U20)<br />22. <span style="font-weight:bold;"><a href="http://www.eliteprospects.com/player.php?player=5763&lang=en">Mark Owuya</a></span>*, G, Almtuna (SWE-2)<br />23. <span style="font-weight:bold;"><a href="http://www.eliteprospects.com/player.php?player=9796&lang=en">Robin Lehner</a></span>, G, Frölunda (U20)<br />24. <span style="font-weight:bold;"><a href="http://www.eliteprospects.com/player.php?player=9778&lang=en">Simon Löf</a></span>, D, Brynäs (U20)<br />25. <span style="font-weight:bold;"><a href="http://www.eliteprospects.com/player.php?player=10071&lang=en">Peter Andersson</a></span>, D, Frölunda (U20)<br />26. <span style="font-weight:bold;"><a href="http://www.eliteprospects.com/player.php?player=9789&lang=en">Jonathan Johansson</a></span>, C, Frölunda (U20)<br />27. <span style="font-weight:bold;"><a href="http://www.eliteprospects.com/player.php?player=7968&lang=en">Carl Ackered</a></span>, D, Djurgården (U20)<br />28. <span style="font-weight:bold;"><a href="http://www.eliteprospects.com/player.php?player=6017&lang=en">Anton Mylläri</a></span>, D, Västerås (SWE-2/U20)<br />29. <span style="font-weight:bold;"><a href="http://www.eliteprospects.com/player.php?player=9008&lang=en">Ludwig Karlsson</a></span>, LW, Linköping (U20)<br />30. <span style="font-weight:bold;"><a href="http://www.eliteprospects.com/player.php?player=6048&lang=en">William Wallén</a></span>, LW, Mississugua (OHL)<br />31. <span style="font-weight:bold;"><a href="http://www.eliteprospects.com/player.php?player=7101&lang=en">Henrik Björklund</a></span>, RW, Skåre (SWE-3)<br />32. <span style="font-weight:bold;"><a href="http://www.eliteprospects.com/player.php?player=9853&lang=en">Johannes Tornberg</a></span>*, LW, Luleå (U20)<br />33. <span style="font-weight:bold;"><a href="http://www.eliteprospects.com/player.php?player=10378&lang=en">Adam Almquist</a></span>, D, HV71 (U20)<br />34. <span style="font-weight:bold;"><a href="http://www.eliteprospects.com/player.php?player=5681&lang=en">Casper Carning</a></span>, RW, Frölunda (U20)<br />35. <span style="font-weight:bold;"><a href="http://www.eliteprospects.com/player.php?player=6487&lang=en">Dennis Bozic</a></span>*, D, Linköping (SEL/U20)<br />36. <span style="font-weight:bold;"><a href="http://www.eliteprospects.com/player.php?player=7215&lang=en">Stefan Espeland</a></span>*, D, MODO (SEL/U20) - <span style="font-style: italic;font-size:85%;" >Norwegian</span><br />37. <span style="font-weight:bold;"><a href="http://www.eliteprospects.com/player.php?player=9850&lang=en">Fredrik Styrman</a></span>, D, Luleå (SEL/U20)<br />38. <span style="font-weight:bold;"><a href="http://www.eliteprospects.com/player.php?player=6056&lang=en">Sebastian Idoff</a></span>, Frölunda (U20)/Borås (SWE-2)<br />39. <span style="font-weight:bold;"><a href="http://www.eliteprospects.com/player.php?player=4347&lang=en">Eddie Läck</a></span>*, G, Leksand (SWE-2)<br />40. <span style="font-weight:bold;"><a href="http://www.eliteprospects.com/player.php?player=8373&lang=en">Mattias Ekholm</a></span>*, D, Mora (SWE-2/U20)<br />41. <span style="font-weight:bold;"><a href="http://www.eliteprospects.com/player.php?player=10541">Alexander Andersson</a></span>*, D, Huddinge (U20)<br />42. <span style="font-weight:bold;"><a href="http://www.eliteprospects.com/player.php?player=4513&lang=en">Simon Önerud</a></span>*, LW, HV71 (SEL)<br />43. <span style="font-weight:bold;"><a href="http://www.eliteprospects.com/player.php?player=6045&lang=en">Martin Olsson</a></span>, C, HV71 (U20)<br />44. <span style="font-weight:bold;"><a href="http://www.eliteprospects.com/player.php?player=9799&lang=en">Christian Fohlin</a></span>, D, Frölunda (U18)<br />45. <span style="font-weight:bold;"><a href="http://www.eliteprospects.com/player.php?player=10016&lang=en">Maksim Matushkin</a></span>*, D, Björklöven (U20)<br />46. <span style="font-weight:bold;"><a href="http://www.eliteprospects.com/player.php?player=10051&lang=en">Daniel Brodin</a></span>*, RW, Djurgården (U20)<br />47. <span style="font-weight:bold;"><a href="http://www.eliteprospects.com/player.php?player=4996&lang=en">Viktor Ekbom</a></span>*, D, Linköping (SEL)/Oskarshamn (SWE-2)<br />48. <span style="font-weight:bold;"><a href="http://www.eliteprospects.com/player.php?player=6835">Henrik Hetta</a></span>*, LW, Östersund/Brunflo (SWE-3)<br />49. <span style="font-weight:bold;"><a href="http://www.eliteprospects.com/player.php?player=7782&lang=en">John Norman</a></span>, C, Djurgården (U20)<br />50. <span style="font-weight:bold;"><a href="http://www.eliteprospects.com/player.php?player=9834">Marcus Guslin</a></span>*, C, Östersund/Brunflo (SWE-3)</span><br /><span style="font-size:78%;"><span style="color: rgb(255, 255, 255);">.</span></span>Mattiashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07948275252674991948noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15170933.post-72843901316001004552009-06-23T15:07:00.011+02:002009-06-23T15:58:14.305+02:00Pääjärvi - another year in Sweden or...?Here comes some more news about the Swedish players available for the <a href="http://hockeyinswenglish.blogspot.com/search/label/09%20nhl%20draft">2009 NHL Draft</a>. <br /><br />Left Winger <span style="font-weight:bold;"><a href="http://www.eliteprospects.com/player.php?player=6014&lang=en">Magnus Pääjärvi-Svensson</a></span> was interviewed by the newspaper Sydsvenskan, where he talks about the NHL Combine that took place about a month ago.<br /><br />Magnus has said for a while now that he will play one more year with the <a title="Swedish Elite League - the top hockey league in Sweden." style="border-bottom: 1px dotted rgb(0, 0, 0); color: rgb(0, 0, 0); text-decoration: none;">SEL</a> team Timrå IK before making the jump. This gets confirmed once again in this interview as he says that he told the NHL teams the same thing at the Combine. He also says following to Sydsvenskan though:<br /><br /><blockquote>- If I get drafted by the right team, then maybe...</blockquote><br />Sydsvenskan speculates that the right team could be a team that offers him a lucrative contract with promises of ice time in the NHL right away.<br /><br />Pääjärvi-Svensson, who started his career in <a href="http://hockeyinswenglish.blogspot.com/search/label/malm%C3%B6%20redhawks">Malmö Redhawks</a> (I love pointing that out), is ranked between 4 and 10 in the upcoming draft by the bigger scouting services.<br /><span style="font-size:78%;"><span style="color: rgb(255, 255, 255);">.</span></span>Mattiashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07948275252674991948noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15170933.post-52091920909390454872009-06-22T14:53:00.008+02:002009-06-23T00:03:03.120+02:00Top ranked goalie to Canada next season?Swedish goalie <span style="font-weight:bold;"><a href="http://www.eliteprospects.com/player.php?player=9796&lang=en">Robin Lehner</a></span> is ranked first among European goaltenders in the <a href="https://www.tsn.ca/draftcentre/feature/?id=11810">CSB Final Rankings</a> for the <a href="http://hockeyinswenglish.blogspot.com/search/label/09%20nhl%20draft">2009 NHL Draft</a>. He has spent the season in the top U20 league in Sweden with <a href="http://hockeyinswenglish.blogspot.com/search/label/fr%C3%B6lunda%20indians%20hc">Frölunda</a> and also was one of Sweden's goalies in the U18 World Championship this spring.<br /><br />He is now looking at taking the next step in his career, which he talks about in an article at <a href="http://www.hockeysverige.se/news_show_malvaktstalangen-funderar-pa-chl.html?id=7868610">Hockeysverige.se</a>. Frölunda's <a title="Swedish Elite League - the top hockey league in Sweden." style="border-bottom: 1px dotted rgb(0, 0, 0); color: rgb(0, 0, 0); text-decoration: none;">SEL</a> team already got <span style="font-weight:bold;"><a href="http://hockeyinswenglish.blogspot.com/search/label/johan%20holmqvist">Johan Holmqvist</a></span> in goal as the clear starter though, so he doesn't think a backup role with very limited ice time would be good for his development. <br /><br /><blockquote><span style="font-weight:bold;">Is playing on Frölunda's U20 team not an option?</span> <br />- Ever since I came to Frölunda, I have taken a new step every season: <a title="Short name for Sweden's top U16 league." style="border-bottom: 1px dotted rgb(0, 0, 0); color: rgb(0, 0, 0); text-decoration: none;">U16</a>, <a title="Short name for Sweden's top U18 league." style="border-bottom: 1px dotted rgb(0, 0, 0); color: rgb(0, 0, 0); text-decoration: none;">J18</a>, <a title="Short name for Sweden's top U20 league." style="border-bottom: 1px dotted rgb(0, 0, 0); color: rgb(0, 0, 0); text-decoration: none;">J20</a>. It's really fun to play <a title="Short name for Sweden's top U20 league." style="border-bottom: 1px dotted rgb(0, 0, 0); color: rgb(0, 0, 0); text-decoration: none;">J20</a> hockey, but I still want to take a step forward and CHL is the best junior league in world. To play in front of sold-out arenas in Canada would be cool. In <a title="Short name for Sweden's top U20 league." style="border-bottom: 1px dotted rgb(0, 0, 0); color: rgb(0, 0, 0); text-decoration: none;">J20</a> you play in front of 25 people in <a title="The home arena of Frölunda's U20 team" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted rgb(0, 0, 0); color: rgb(0, 0, 0); text-decoration: none;">Wallenstamhallen</a>.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Is it the QMJHL, OHL or WHL that entices you?</span><br />- I guess it's the WHL I'm aiming for the most. I played an offensive-minded hockey that flings back and forth with Frölunda for three years now. QMJHL is a little bit the same, a very offensive-minded league. WHL has good hockey both defensively and offensively, there will be good games there. Plus there are long bus rides to tough away games that make you well prepared for life over there.</blockquote><br />Lehner hasn't counted out the possibility to play for Frölunda next season though and will have a meeting with Frölunda GM <span style="font-weight:bold;">Kent Norberg</span> soon. Being loaned out to a team in <a title="The 2nd-tier league in Sweden, which is the league just under the Swedish Elite League." style="border-bottom: 1px dotted rgb(0, 0, 0); color: rgb(0, 0, 0); text-decoration: none;">HockeyAllsvenskan</a> is another option he is open to.<br /><span style="font-size:78%;"><span style="color: rgb(255, 255, 255);">.</span></span>Mattiashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07948275252674991948noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15170933.post-78725717980158899402009-06-21T13:27:00.000+02:002009-06-22T21:10:26.508+02:00No Vancouver Olympics for Sundin<span style="font-weight:bold;"><a href="http://www.eliteprospects.com/player.php?player=467">Mats Sundin</a></span> sticks by his decision of having retired from the Swedish national team, which he announced after the Olympic gold in 2006. The Swedish captain, who also is a 3-time World Champion, said the following to <a href="http://hockey.expressen.se/nhl/1.1613643/mats-sundin-inget-os-for-mig">Expressen</a>.<br /><br /><blockquote>- Regardless if I play in the NHL next season or not, there will be no Olympics for me. I have not changed my stance since I stepped off the ice in Torino with the Olympic gold medal around my neck in 2006.<br /><br />...<br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Why?</span><br />- Because it was the perfect end to a long career in <a title="The nickname of the Swedish national hockey team, which means Three Crowns." style="border-bottom: 1px dotted rgb(0, 0, 0); color: rgb(0, 0, 0); text-decoration: none;">Tre Kronor</a>. To lead the Swedish national team against the best in the world and for the first time winning the Olympic gold when every country had all their stars there.</blockquote><br />Sundin also talks about it being time for the new generation to take over. While not part of the new generation, a not so difficult guess is that <span style="font-weight:bold;"><a href="http://www.eliteprospects.com/player.php?player=722">Nicklas Lidström</a></span> takes over the role as the captain.<br /><br />For the next couple of weeks, Sundin will think about the future and he says a decision will be made sometime during the summer.<br /><br />In other news surrounding the 2010 Swedish Olympic hockey team, former NHL defensemen <span style="font-weight:bold;"><a href="http://www.eliteprospects.com/player.php?player=701">Tommy Albelin</a></span> and <span style="font-weight:bold;"><a href="http://www.eliteprospects.com/player.php?player=750">Mattias Norström</a></span> have been <a href="http://www.swehockey.se/t3b.asp?p=69309&x=1&a=1172250">announced</a> as the assistant coaches to <span style="font-weight:bold;"><a href="http://www.eliteprospects.com/player.php?player=1539">Bengt-Åke Gustafsson</a></span>. Albelin has been an assistant coach in <a href="http://hockeyinswenglish.blogspot.com/search/label/new%20jersey%20devils">New Jersey Devils</a> for the past two seasons, while Norström has no coaching experience at all.<br /><span style="font-size:78%;"><span style="color: rgb(255, 255, 255);">.</span></span>Mattiashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07948275252674991948noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15170933.post-48166739501989938462009-06-18T23:24:00.004+02:002009-06-21T18:02:30.412+02:00Kenny Jönsson retiresDefenseman <span style="font-weight:bold;"><a href="http://www.eliteprospects.com/player.php?player=717">Kenny Jönsson<span style="font-weight: bold;"></span></a></span> announced today, at the age of 34, that he has played his last game of hockey. The announcement was made in the newspaper Helsingborgs Dagblad, that had made a longer <a href="http://hd.se/sport/2009/06/18/jag-aer-helt-tom-och-faerdig/">interview</a> with Kenny.<br /><br /><blockquote>- I feel that I'm satisfied. I don't have the passion that is needed to play another season. Maybe I've had enough after 19 seasons at senior level, he says.<br /><br />...<br /><br />- It feels good to have taken this decision and I'm proud to be able to finish at the top.</blockquote><br />At the top is exactly where Jönsson finished. At the World Championship this year, he wasn't on the ice for a single goal against and had the best plus-minus in the entire tournament. His performance earned him a spot on the All-Star Team.<br /><br />If we rewind back to the early 90s, we find an 18-year-old Kenny Jönsson in the <a href="http://hockeyinswenglish.blogspot.com/search/label/r%C3%B6gle%20bk">Rögle BK</a> team that got promoted to the highest division in Sweden for the first time since 1969. The year after, in the 1992-93 season, Jönsson was named the <a href="http://hockeyinswenglish.blogspot.com/2009/06/2008-09-swedish-hockey-awards.html">Rookie of the Year</a> in the <a title="Swedish Elite League - the top hockey league in Sweden." style="border-bottom: 1px dotted rgb(0, 0, 0); color: rgb(0, 0, 0); text-decoration: none;">SEL</a> and he eventually gets drafted by the <a href="http://hockeyinswenglish.blogspot.com/search/label/toronto%20maple%20leafs">Toronto Maple Leafs</a> at 12th overall in the 1993 NHL Draft.<br /><br />Before he made the jump over the pond, he played in two World Junior Championship finals (two All-Star Team appearances and voted Best Defenseman in 1994), was the <a href="http://hockeyinswenglish.blogspot.com/2009/06/2008-09-swedish-hockey-awards.html">Junior of the Year</a> in the <a title="Swedish Elite League - the top hockey league in Sweden." style="border-bottom: 1px dotted rgb(0, 0, 0); color: rgb(0, 0, 0); text-decoration: none;">SEL</a> in 1994 and was part of Sweden's gold medal winning team at the 1994 Olympics.<br /><br />Jönsson's time in the Leafs jersey was short-lived as he already after 89 games was traded to the New York Islanders in a deal that brought <span style="font-weight:bold;"><a href="http://www.eliteprospects.com/player.php?player=21496">Wendel Clark<span style="font-weight: bold;"></span></a></span> back to Toronto.<br /><br />The Islanders were where he ended up spending most of his NHL career and he played there from 1996 to 2004. While Jönsson doesn't exactly have much awards etc from his NHL career, except for a spot on the NHL All-Rookie Team, he was always considered one of the most underrated players in the league. His career high ended up being 14 goals and 40 points in the 1997-98 season.<br /><br />When the NHL lockout started in 2004, Kenny returned to his beloved Rögle that were outside the <a title="Swedish Elite League - the top hockey league in Sweden." style="border-bottom: 1px dotted rgb(0, 0, 0); color: rgb(0, 0, 0); text-decoration: none;">SEL</a> again. When the NHL players returned to the NHL for the 2005-06 season, he decided to stay in Sweden. In this season, as a <a title="The 2nd-tier league in Sweden, which is the league just under the Swedish Elite League." style="border-bottom: 1px dotted rgb(0, 0, 0); color: rgb(0, 0, 0); text-decoration: none;">HockeyAllsvenskan</a> player (!), he became the first player to win the Olympics and the World Championships in the same year (together with seven other Swedes). Not only that, he was also named the MVP of the Olympic hockey tournament and later was awarded <a href="http://hockeyinswenglish.blogspot.com/2009/06/2008-09-swedish-hockey-awards.html">The Golden Puck</a> in Sweden.<br /><br />Rögle, lead by Jönsson, ended up spending four seasons in <a title="The 2nd-tier league in Sweden, which is the league just under the Swedish Elite League." style="border-bottom: 1px dotted rgb(0, 0, 0); color: rgb(0, 0, 0); text-decoration: none;">HockeyAllsvenskan</a> until they surprisingly were able to get promoted to the <a title="Swedish Elite League - the top hockey league in Sweden." style="border-bottom: 1px dotted rgb(0, 0, 0); color: rgb(0, 0, 0); text-decoration: none;">SEL</a> after the 2007-08 season. This season, which ended up being his last, Rögle managed to stay in the <a title="Swedish Elite League - the top hockey league in Sweden." style="border-bottom: 1px dotted rgb(0, 0, 0); color: rgb(0, 0, 0); text-decoration: none;">SEL</a> against all odds.<br /><br /><blockquote>- I have won big titles, been promoted to the <a title="Swedish Elite League - the top hockey league in Sweden." style="border-bottom: 1px dotted rgb(0, 0, 0); color: rgb(0, 0, 0); text-decoration: none;">SEL</a> with Rögle twice and received nice individual awards. I have gotten to experience so incredibly much more than I ever thought when I started.</blockquote><br />Now he will concentrate on his own company and will for example open a car wash in Ängelholm, the town where Rögle plays.<br /><br />An interesting note is that his older brother, <a href="http://hockeyinswenglish.blogspot.com/search/label/j%C3%B6rgen%20j%C3%B6nsson"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Jörgen Jönsson</span></a>, announced his own retirement earlier this year. Jörgen is not as known in North America as Kenny, but for example is a 2-time Olympic gold medalist, 2-time World Champion and 5-time Swedish Champion.<br /><br />His career deserves its own post, so I guess I will save that one for later this summer.<br /><span style="font-size:78%;"><span style="color: rgb(255, 255, 255);">.</span></span>Mattiashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07948275252674991948noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15170933.post-32073111119341981582009-06-13T23:59:00.005+02:002009-06-14T04:42:42.685+02:00Random news - Where will the monster go?Goalie <span style="font-weight: bold;"><a href="http://hockeyinswenglish.blogspot.com/search/label/jonas%20gustavsson">Jonas Gustavsson</a></span>, who seems to be this year's <a style="font-weight: bold;" href="http://www.eliteprospects.com/player.php?player=6659&lang=en">Fabian Brunnström</a>, has narrowed it down to four NHL teams for next season. According to <a href="http://www.aftonbladet.se/sportbladet/hockeybladet/internationellt/nhl/article5375908.ab">Aftonbladet</a>, he travelled today to North America to visit Colorado, San José, Dallas and Toronto.<br /><br />Gustavsson beat <span style="font-weight: bold;"><a href="http://www.eliteprospects.com/player.php?player=286">Henrik Lundqvist</a></span>'s old <a title="Swedish Elite League - the top hockey league in Sweden." style="border-bottom: 1px dotted rgb(0, 0, 0); color: rgb(0, 0, 0); text-decoration: none;">SEL</a> playoff record this season for number of minutes without letting a goal in with the new record being 222 minutes and 40 seconds. This accomplishment gave him the nickname "The Monster" in Swedish media, which still lives on.<br /><br />He ended up leading his team Färjestads BK to the Swedish Championship this year. Then he was awarded <a href="http://hockeyinswenglish.blogspot.com/2009/06/2008-09-swedish-hockey-awards.html">The Golden Puck</a> and helped Team Sweden getting the bronze medal in the World Championship in May.<br /><br />Gustavsson will get the maximum rookie contract no matter where he ends up, so money isn't a factor. Instead he is looking for the team that feels the most right.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;">***<br /></div><br />Swedish defenseman <span style="font-weight: bold;"><a href="http://www.eliteprospects.com/player.php?player=1288&lang=en">Patrik Hersley</a></span> isn't exactly one of the more known Swedes in North America. This season he has been part of the <a href="http://hockeyinswenglish.blogspot.com/search/label/philadelphia%20flyers">Philadelphia Flyers</a>, but has only played in the AHL and the ECHL.<br /><br />After two seasons in the AHL and the ECHL with not much to show for it, he has decided to head back to Sweden. Hersley had one year left on his contract with the Flyers, but will now instead play that year with the team where his career started, <a href="http://hockeyinswenglish.blogspot.com/search/label/malm%C3%B6%20redhawks">Malmö Redhawks</a> in <a title="The 2nd-tier league in Sweden, which is the league just under the Swedish Elite League." style="border-bottom: 1px dotted rgb(0, 0, 0); color: rgb(0, 0, 0); text-decoration: none;">HockeyAllsvenskan</a>.<br /><br />Hersley is still just 22 years old. So maybe he will make the jump across the pond again one day, if he can get his game going at home.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;">***<br /></div><br />Speaking of Malmö Redhawks; Detroit's super scout <span style="font-weight: bold;">Håkan Andersson</span> has expressed interest in 19-year-old defenseman <span style="font-weight: bold;"><a href="http://www.eliteprospects.com/player.php?player=7234&lang=en">Anton Blomqvist</a></span>, who plays for that team. Andersson says the following to the newspaper <a href="http://blogg.sydsvenskan.se/insideredhawks/2009/06/12/detroit-visar-intresse-for-blomqvist/">Sydsvenskan</a>.<br /><br /><blockquote>Yes, we are interested. That we are, says Håkan Andersson.</blockquote><br />A comment like that from a scout doesn't say much, but I thought it was interesting as the scouting service <a href="http://www.usatoday.com/sports/hockey/columnist/woodlief/2008-06-05-draft-defensemen_N.htm">Redline</a> called Blomqvist "the most underrated player in the draft at any position" just before last year's draft.<br /><br />In that draft, Blomqvist was passed over. A big reason for this was probably that he basically had not played anywhere beyond the Swedish junior leagues. This year he played with the Swedish U19 national team though and impressed when he got a shot with Malmö's senior team in <a title="The 2nd-tier league in Sweden, which is the league just under the Swedish Elite League." style="border-bottom: 1px dotted rgb(0, 0, 0); color: rgb(0, 0, 0); text-decoration: none;">HockeyAllsvenskan</a> at the end of the season.<br /><br />Andersson describes Blomqvist as a big and mobile defenseman, who needs to add more muscles. I would also add that he got a bit of a mean streak and I must say he became a bit of a favorite of mine because of his finish to the season. Next season he will play full-time on Malmö's senior team.<br /><br />A player to keep an eye on.<br /><span style="font-size:78%;"><span style="color: rgb(255, 255, 255);">.</span></span>Mattiashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07948275252674991948noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15170933.post-24196470528290883792009-06-08T21:00:00.006+02:002009-06-08T21:44:54.378+02:002008-09 Swedish hockey awardsThe NHL season is on the final stretch, which also means the NHL Awards are getting closer. While the NHL Awards won't come close to the excitement of the Stanley Cup final, it's still always a big thing in the NHL.<br /><br />Here in Sweden, there has never been a big tradition of handing out individual awards in hockey. Last couple of years though, more and more awards have been popping up.<br /><br />The latest one was added this year and goes to the best defenseman in the <a title="Swedish Elite League - the top hockey league in Sweden." style="border-bottom: 1px dotted rgb(0, 0, 0); color: rgb(0, 0, 0); text-decoration: none;">SEL</a>. What it is called? Salming Trophy of course, after the great <span style="font-weight: bold;"><a href="http://www.eliteprospects.com/player.php?player=1551">Börje Salming</a></span>.<br /><br />As I'm all for these trophies, I've put together a list with descriptions of them and this year's winners.<br /><br />Enjoy!<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Le Mat Trophy</span><br /><span>The Stanley Cup of the <a title="Swedish Elite League - the top hockey league in Sweden." style="border-bottom: 1px dotted rgb(0, 0, 0); color: rgb(0, 0, 0); text-decoration: none;">SEL</a>, which the Swedish Champs win. It was donated by American film director Raoul Le Mat (founding father of ice hockey in Sweden) and MGM in 1926 and is the oldest trophy competed for by professional athletes in Sweden. It has been modified throughout the years and the current one is a copy of the original one, since the original one was stolen in the 50s.</span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Winner:</span> <a href="http://hockeyinswenglish.blogspot.com/search/label/f%C3%A4rjestads%20bk">Färjestads BK</a><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Guldhjälmen (The Golden Helmet)</span><br /><span>The Lester B. Pearson Award of the <a title="Swedish Elite League - the top hockey league in Sweden." style="border-bottom: 1px dotted rgb(0, 0, 0); color: rgb(0, 0, 0); text-decoration: none;">SEL</a>, which has been handed out since 1986. The MVP of the <a title="Swedish Elite League - the top hockey league in Sweden." style="border-bottom: 1px dotted rgb(0, 0, 0); color: rgb(0, 0, 0); text-decoration: none;">SEL</a> as decided on by voting of its players. You find a list of former winners <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Guldhj%C3%A4lmen">here</a>.</span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Winner:</span> <a href="http://www.eliteprospects.com/player.php?player=127">Johan Davidsson</a>, HV71<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Guldpucken (The Golden Puck)</span><br /><span>Goes to the best Swedish player of the season that is playing in Sweden and has been handed out since 1956. Wikipedia compare it with the Hart Memorial Trophy, but it's not really anything like it since it's just for Swedish players and since even <a title="The 2nd-tier league in Sweden, which is the league just under the Swedish Elite League." style="border-bottom: 1px dotted rgb(0, 0, 0); color: rgb(0, 0, 0); text-decoration: none;">HockeyAllsvenskan</a> players can get it like Kenny Jönsson in 2006. You find a list of former winners <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Guldpucken">here</a>.</span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Winner:</span> <a href="http://www.eliteprospects.com/player.php?player=2250">Jonas Gustavsson</a>, Färjestads BK<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Håkan Loob Trophy</span><br /><span>The Maurice Richard Trophy of the <a title="Swedish Elite League - the top hockey league in Sweden." style="border-bottom: 1px dotted rgb(0, 0, 0); color: rgb(0, 0, 0); text-decoration: none;">SEL</a>, which has been handed out since 2006. The team of the player with most goals gets 1000 SEK for each goal the player has scored during the season and the money goes to the club's youth program. You find a list of former winners <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/H%C3%A5kan_Loob_Trophy">here</a>.</span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Winner:</span> <a href="http://www.eliteprospects.com/player.php?player=140&lang=en">Per-Åge Skröder</a>, MODO<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Rookie of the Year</span><br /><span>The rookie of the year in the <a title="Swedish Elite League - the top hockey league in Sweden." style="border-bottom: 1px dotted rgb(0, 0, 0); color: rgb(0, 0, 0); text-decoration: none;">SEL</a>, which has been handed out since 1990. All players under 25 with less than 25 regular season games before the season and all juniors are eligible. 4 candidates for the award are announced throughout the season. You find a list of former winners <a href="http://sv.wikipedia.org/wiki/%C3%85rets_nykomling_i_Elitserien_i_ishockey">here</a>.</span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Winner:</span> <a href="http://www.eliteprospects.com/player.php?player=6007&lang=en">Victor Hedman</a>, MODO<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Honken Trophy</span><br /><span>Goalie of the season in the <a title="Swedish Elite League - the top hockey league in Sweden." style="border-bottom: 1px dotted rgb(0, 0, 0); color: rgb(0, 0, 0); text-decoration: none;">SEL</a> as decided on by the hockey journalists, which has been handed out since 2002. You find a list of former winners <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Honken_Trophy">here</a>.</span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Winner:</span> <a href="http://www.eliteprospects.com/player.php?player=711">Johan Holmqvist</a>, Frölunda HC<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Salming Trophy</span><br /><span>Defenseman of the season in the <a title="Swedish Elite League - the top hockey league in Sweden." style="border-bottom: 1px dotted rgb(0, 0, 0); color: rgb(0, 0, 0); text-decoration: none;">SEL</a> as decided on by the hockey journalists, which is being handed out for the first time this year.</span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Winner:</span> <a href="http://www.eliteprospects.com/player.php?player=733">Marcus Ragnarsson</a>, Djurgårdens IF.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Rinkens Riddare (The Knight of the Rink)</span><br /><span>The Lady Byng Memorial Trophy of the <a title="Swedish Elite League - the top hockey league in Sweden." style="border-bottom: 1px dotted rgb(0, 0, 0); color: rgb(0, 0, 0); text-decoration: none;">SEL</a> as decided on by the hockey journalists, which has been handed out since 1997. You find a list of former winners <a href="http://www.hockeyjournalisterna.se/utm.html">here</a>.</span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Winner:</span> <a href="http://www.eliteprospects.com/player.php?player=108">Jörgen Jönsson</a>, Färjestads BK<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Coach of the Year</span><br /><span>Coach of the season in the <a title="Swedish Elite League - the top hockey league in Sweden." style="border-bottom: 1px dotted rgb(0, 0, 0); color: rgb(0, 0, 0); text-decoration: none;">SEL</a> as decided on by the hockey journalists, which has been handed out since 1992. You find a list of former winners <a href="http://www.hockeyjournalisterna.se/utm.html">here</a>.</span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Winner:</span> Per-Erik Johnsson and Tommy Samuelsson, Färjestads BK.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Junior of the Year</span><br /><span>Swedish junior player of the season as decided on by the hockey journalists, which has been handed out since 1993. You find a list of former winners <a href="http://www.hockeyjournalisterna.se/utm.html">here</a>.</span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Winner:</span> Victor Hedman, MODO<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Viking Award</span><br /><span>The best Swedish player of the season in the NHL as decided by a vote among the players themselves, which has been handed out since 1976. You find a list of former winners <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Viking_Award">here</a>.</span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Winner:</span> <a href="http://hockeyinswenglish.blogspot.com/search/label/nicklas%20b%C3%A4ckstr%C3%B6m">Nicklas Bäckström</a>, Washington Capitals<br /><span style="font-size:78%;"><span style="color: rgb(255, 255, 255);">.</span></span>Mattiashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07948275252674991948noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15170933.post-39553399635166561512009-06-02T16:59:00.009+02:002009-06-18T22:24:28.059+02:00The SEL rejects transfer agreementOnce again, the <a title="Swedish Elite League - the top hockey league in Sweden." style="border-bottom: 1px dotted rgb(0, 0, 0); color: rgb(0, 0, 0); text-decoration: none;">SEL</a> rejects a proposed transfer agreement between Sweden and the NHL. The <a title="Swedish Elite League - the top hockey league in Sweden." style="border-bottom: 1px dotted rgb(0, 0, 0); color: rgb(0, 0, 0); text-decoration: none;">SEL</a> teams had a phone meeting this morning, where it was agreed on that they won't take the latest offer from the NHL.<br /><br />According to <a href="http://www.vf.se/Sport/Varmland/FBK-vander-NHLavtalet-ryggen-090601.aspx">Värmlands Folkblad</a>, the proposal looked like this:<br /><ul><li>A team will get 225,000 dollars for a player that leaves to the NHL for the first time.</li><li>June 15 is the deadline for drafted players or players with no contract to leave for the NHL. July 15 this year, because of the late transfer agreement negotiations.<br /></li><li>July 15 is the deadline for players drafted in the same summer. August 15 this year, because of the late transfer agreement negotiations.</li><li>The NHL rights will last for two more years, which means the NHL teams can wait up to four years after the draft to sign a player without losing the rights.</li></ul>One of the main concerns is the money that the teams get for each player. <span style="font-weight: bold;">Mike Helber</span>, C.E.O. of Linköpings HC, says the following to <a href="http://www.aftonbladet.se/sportbladet/hockeybladet/sverige/elitserien/article5289048.ab">Aftonbladet</a>.<br /><br /><blockquote>- We aren’t satisfied with the compensation that we would get from the NHL. Essentially we are open to an agreement, but on our conditions that benefits Swedish hockey. We for example want that you get more compensation for older players compare to younger players, says Mike Helber.<br /><br />...<br /><br />- For example if <a href="http://www.eliteprospects.com/player.php?player=127"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Johan Davidsson</span></a> or <a href="http://www.eliteprospects.com/player.php?player=59&lang=en"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Tony Mårtensson</span></a> leaves for the NHL, the <a title="Swedish Elite League - the top hockey league in Sweden." style="border-bottom: 1px dotted rgb(0, 0, 0); color: rgb(0, 0, 0); text-decoration: none;">SEL</a> clubs should get 500,000 to 600,000 dollars, says Mike Helber.<br /></blockquote><br />The first one of the deadlines is another issue, which the GM of Färjestads BK, <span style="font-weight: bold;">Thomas Rundqvist</span>, talks about at the <a href="http://www.farjestadsbk.se/showpage.asp?PID=1130998400">official site</a> of Färjestad. He understands the deadline of July 15 for recently drafted players, but says the following about the other deadline.<br /><br /><blockquote>- Everything after June 1 makes it difficult for us in the work to get a replacement player for those we lose, says Rundqvist.</blockquote><br />So most of it comes down to the <a title="Swedish Elite League - the top hockey league in Sweden." style="border-bottom: 1px dotted rgb(0, 0, 0); color: rgb(0, 0, 0); text-decoration: none;">SEL</a> teams wanting to be able to find a replacement player in time and that they can afford a somewhat equally good player as the player leaving for the NHL.<br /><br />The ball is now in IIHF's court and they will, together with the different European hockey associations, bring forward a new transfer agreement proposal between Europe and the NHL.<br /><span style="font-size:78%;"><span style="color: rgb(255, 255, 255);">.</span></span>Mattiashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07948275252674991948noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15170933.post-9525401162459168212009-05-27T22:48:00.008+02:002009-06-18T22:25:04.944+02:00Öhlund looking for a change of scenery<blockquote>- Plainly, I want to to try something new. It's going to be fun to see what happens this summer and which NHL teams that are interested.</blockquote><br />That is what <a href="http://hockeyinswenglish.blogspot.com/search/label/vancouver%20canucks">Vancouver's</a> Swedish defenseman <a style="font-weight: bold;" href="http://hockeyinswenglish.blogspot.com/search/label/mattias%20%C3%B6hlund">Mattias Öhlund</a> said to <a href="http://www.nsd.se/sport/artikel.aspx?ArticleId=4656361">Norrländska Socialdemokraten</a> about his future. Öhlund, who has spent all his 11 NHL seasons with the Canucks, will be testing the market on July 1. He doesn't have a favorite team to end up on though. At least not one that he is willing to admit about.<br /><br /><blockquote>- No, not really. This is a family decision, where a lot factors will play in. But at my age, it would of course be fun to end up in a club with a decent chance at winning the Stanley Cup.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;"><a href="http://hockeyinswenglish.blogspot.com/search/label/detroit%20red%20wings">Detroit</a> together with <a style="font-weight: bold;" href="http://www.eliteprospects.com/player.php?player=712">Tomas Holmström</a>?</span><br />- That would of course be fun. But it's nothing we have talked about.</blockquote><br />To explain that last question: Holmström and Öhlund are from Piteå, a town in northern Sweden, and both have played on the same teams (Piteå HC and <a href="http://hockeyinswenglish.blogspot.com/search/label/lule%C3%A5%20hf">Luleå HF</a>) back in Sweden.<br /><br />Öhlund also says in the article that he will keep on playing in the NHL for another 3-4 years and then head back home to Sweden. Either to his hometown Piteå or to Stockholm, where he has a lot of his friends.<br /><span style="color: rgb(255, 255, 255);font-size:78%;" >.</span>Mattiashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07948275252674991948noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15170933.post-39112696376400356762009-05-14T19:52:00.009+02:002009-05-14T21:36:33.546+02:00Hävelid returns to SwedenSwedish defenseman <a style="font-weight: bold;" href="http://www.eliteprospects.com/player.php?player=713">Niclas Hävelid</a> has <a href="http://www.linkopinghc.com/index.php?articleid=500">signed</a> a one-year contract plus an option for another year with <a title="Swedish Elite League - the top hockey league in Sweden." style="border-bottom: 1px dotted rgb(0, 0, 0); color: rgb(0, 0, 0); text-decoration: none;">SEL</a> team Linköping.<br /><br />There have been a lot of talks about him returning to Sweden after this season. The discussions have been more about <span style="font-weight: bold;">where</span> in Sweden he would end up though rather than <span style="font-weight: bold;">if</span>.<br /><br />In Linköping, Niclas will join his brother <span style="font-weight: bold;">Magnus Hävelid</span>, who is the assistant coach, and his good friend <span style="font-weight: bold;">Johan Hemlin</span>, the GM of Linköping.<br /><br />Niclas Hävelid, who finished the current season with the <a href="http://hockeyinswenglish.blogspot.com/search/label/new%20jersey%20devils">New Jersey Devils</a>, will now try to join the unique group of players that have won the Swedish Championship, the World Championship and the Olympics as he already has won the later two. He never got to win the Stanley Cup though in his 9 seasons in the NHL.<br /><span style="font-size:78%;"><span style="color: rgb(255, 255, 255);">.</span></span>Mattiashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07948275252674991948noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15170933.post-71403242578098996442008-09-24T20:57:00.007+02:002009-06-18T22:26:00.249+02:00Nice raise for EnströmThe Atlanta Thrashers <a href="http://thrashers.nhl.com/team/app/?service=page&page=NewsPage&articleid=383179">announced</a> today that they have signed Swedish defenseman <a href="http://www.eliteprospects.com/player.php?player=594&lang=en"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Tobias Enström</span></a> to a 4-year extension.<br /><br /><blockquote>"We just signed Toby Enstrom to a four-year contract extension that will take him through the year 2012-13" Waddell told media at the team's practice facility in Duluth. "He has this year left plus four years, so he has five years remaining with us. He was one of our key players for us last year and I think he's going to be a big part of our future. We're excited to have him signed to a long-term contract."</blockquote><br />Atlanta hasn't mentioned any details about the salary. According to <a href="http://www.aftonbladet.se/sportbladet/hockey/nhl/article3386592.ab">Aftonbladet</a> though, he will be making close to 25 million SEK per year. If those numbers are correct, he will be making around $3.7 million in average per year.<br /><br />That's what I would call a nice raise for an 8th round pick.<br /><br />Enström had a fantastic rookie campaign, but ended up in the shadows of forwards <a style="font-weight: bold;" href="http://www.eliteprospects.com/player.php?player=9326">Patrick Kane</a>, <a href="http://www.eliteprospects.com/player.php?player=8792"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Jonathan Toews</span></a> and <a style="font-weight: bold;" href="http://www.eliteprospects.com/player.php?player=3682&lang=en">Nicklas Bäckström</a>. Read the following from the <a href="http://thrashers.nhl.com/team/app/?service=page&page=NewsPage&articleid=383179">article</a> at Atlanta's official site, if you need a reminder.<br /><br /><blockquote>Enstrom set a new franchise record for the most assists by a defenseman in a season and tied the franchise mark for the most points by a defenseman. Enstrom led the team, set a new franchise record and paced all NHL rookies and with 24:28 of ice time per game. He also led all NHL players in power play ice time per game with 5:44.</blockquote><br />He also made the NHL All-Rookie team and played in the 2008 NHL YoungStars game.<br /><span style="color: rgb(255, 255, 255);font-size:78%;" >.</span>Mattiashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07948275252674991948noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15170933.post-29366624639508825612008-08-22T16:10:00.007+02:002008-08-22T17:02:45.286+02:00Leafs add another Swedish defensemanAftonbladet is <a href="http://www.aftonbladet.se/sportbladet/hockey/nhl/article3153599.ab">reporting</a> today that Swedish defenseman <a href="http://www.eliteprospects.com/player.php?player=708&lang=en"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Josef Boumedienne</span></a> has signed a two-way contract with the Toronto Maple Leafs.<br /><br />Boumedienne spent the last couple of seasons in Europe. Last year he was back in North America and the AHL though with the Hershey Bears, where he had 42 points in 52 games.<br /><br />Last time he played in the NHL was with the Washington Capitals in 03-04 season. While he only played 37 games that season, he received a lot of ice time on a weak defensive unit. In 47 career NHL games with Washington, Boumedienne has put up 16 points.<br /><br />Toronto now got four Swedish defenseman under contract with <a href="http://www.eliteprospects.com/player.php?player=4152"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Anton Strålman</span></a>, <a href="http://www.eliteprospects.com/player.php?player=543&lang=en"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Staffan Kronwall</span></a> and <a href="http://hockeyinswenglish.blogspot.com/search/label/jonas%20fr%C3%B6gren"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Jonas Frögren</span></a> being there already. Will there be any room for "Bom-Bom", as he is called over here, on the big team?Mattiashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07948275252674991948noreply@blogger.com0