Well, the 2009 edition of the NHL Entry Draft is in the books. I've literally been waiting for a couple of years to see who would be the first overall pick - John Tavares or Victor Hedman. To no one's surprise, Tavares went to the Isles, and my guy, Swedish hulk of a dman, Hedman, who plays for Modo in the Swedish Elite League, went second overall to the Tampa Bay Lightning.
I've been following Hedman for a while now, having first watched him two seasons ago on the World Junior Championship edition of Tre Kronor. I keep in contact with a guy who lives in Orskoldsvik Sweden where Modo play out of, and he's given me pretty regular updates about Hedman. Hedman is an amazing player - really fun to watch. Although it is a men's league, the SEL is so much different from the NHL. They play on the big ice, and although there is more time and space and a few extra miliseconds to think, the game is a couple of steps slower. I can't wait to watch him as he adjusts to the NHL game. It's too bad he was drafted to a team that's about as far away from Calgary as one can get. Here's hoping he lives up to the hype...and earns a spot on the 2010 Tre Kronor OS!
In other news, there were a total of 7 Swedes drafted in the first round.
That's huge!!
2. Victor Hedman - Tampa Bay - Modo - d
6. Oliver Ekman-Larsson - Phoenix - Leksand -d
10. Magnus Paajarvi-Svensson - Edmonton - Timra - lw
17. David Rundbland - St. Louis - Skelleftea - d
20. Jacob Josefson - New Jersey - Djurgarden - c
23. Tim Erixon - Calgary - Skelleftea - d
24. Marcus Johansson - Washington - Farjestad - c
For me, the most exciting thing is that there is another Swede on the Oilers!! I first saw Magnus at the World Juniors and he impressed me with his skating, number one, but his sort of 'Canadian style' of play. I think he will fit right in - he plays Oiler hockey from what I've seen...well, the Oiler hockey from maybe three seasons ago.
It's always fun waiting to see how many of the first rounders are going to play in the NHL next season. I'm not sure who's ready yet. There was talk of Tim Erixon having to leave Sweden to play major junior, because Sutter will want him to play in the WHL and adjust to the NA style of play...smaller ice, more physical, etc, etc, etc.
Now I'm waiting for July 1st...
About Me
- queen of hockey
- I live in Calgary, Alberta CANADA...home of the NHL's Flames and the WHL's Hitmen. I love watching hockey. My favorite player is Alexander Ovechkin, followed closely by Nicklas Bäckström. Then there's my goalies Henrik Lundqvist, and Carey Price. I also like watching the dynamic duo of Toews and Kane. I like watching the Caps, Rangers, Habs, Hawks, and Canucks. But I'll watch anyone play anyone, at any time. I love the game that much. In my limited spare time, I am learning Swedish. I've actually been taking lessons since the NHL lockout in 2004. So, it stands to reason that I pay extra close attention to Swedish players/prospects. Pretty much the only time I'm not thinking hockey is when I'm sleeping, or when I'm at my boxing club.
