LPHF: the Swedish captain puts down roots in Montreal

After playing for 15 years professionally in Sweden, Anna Kjellbin was ripe for a change and it is with the Victoire de Montréal that she will continue her career.

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Selected in the sixth round of the most recent LPHF draft, Kjellbin arrived in Quebec taking nothing for granted.

“I am very humble. I came here thinking I was going to do my best and see how far I could get. I tried to be myself, to play my style and it paid off,” explained the 30-year-old defender on Thursday.

A five-time champion in her native country’s professional women’s hockey league, Kjellbin must adapt to small North American rinks, which she says make the game faster and more robust, even if body checking is permitted in the Swedish circuit.

“I’m not surprised by what I discovered. I imagined that it would be like playing against Canada or the United States every day, so I was ready,” said the Olympic athlete who signed one of the last six Victory contracts, at the like attackers Alexandra Labelle, Dara Greig and Clair DeGeorge, defender Anna Wilgren and goalkeeper Sandra Abstreiter.

Well-deserved reinforcement

Used in every way by head coach Kori Cheverie during the two exhibition games last week, Kjellbin will allow Erin Ambrose to breathe a little. She spent 60 minutes on the ice during a game that ended in the third overtime during the playoffs, exposing the lack of depth on defense.

“She is captain of the Swedish team, she has experience on the blue line and leadership,” praised the general director, Danièle Sauvageau.

Kjellbin will also support captain Marie-Philip Poulin, just like the 12 other players who have already had a “C” on their jersey in the past.

The “best” supporters

Used to playing in front of big crowds in Sweden, Kjellbin expects a little something more on Saturday against the Ottawa Charge at Place Bell in Laval.

“I have heard a lot about Montreal fans. I’m really looking forward to playing in front of them and meeting them. I think the fans here are the best in the league, so I’m really excited,” said the woman who wants to learn a few words of French.