OTTAWA – Last year, Canadian fans who wanted to follow the organization’s hopes at the World Junior Hockey Championship were spoiled for choice.
Lane Hutson offered a glimpse of his great talent on the American blue line while goaltender Jacob Fowler got a few starts with the eventual gold medalists. Filip Mešár carried Slovakia’s hopes on his shoulders and Owen Beck had a front-row seat to watch Canada’s fall.
This year, the CH is only represented by one player in Ottawa. This is defender Rasmus Bergqvist, who was selected with the penultimate pick in the draft last summer. It’s normal that the name doesn’t mean anything to you. His current coach with the Swedish selection, Magnus Hävelid, only started paying attention to him a few months ago.
Bergqvist, who has been around Skellefteå AIK since the age of 16, was expecting to start a third season with the club’s under-20 team this fall. A wave of injuries in the pro group, however, hastened his rise.
“Before the season, I told myself that it would be good if I could practice from time to time with them, maybe have the chance to play a match,” he said on Saturday in discussion with two Quebec journalists. The small opening he found himself in ultimately allowed him to play 21 games so far in the SHL, Sweden’s top division.
“I was lucky to play, but since then I think I’ve been pretty good. »
Hävelid confirms. “I spoke with his coaches and from week to week, his progress was constant. » In November, Bergqvist was invited to participate in the Five Nations Tournament in Finland, the first call-up of his young career with Tre Kronor. “He came in with a lot of confidence and from that moment I knew he was ready to be an important player on our team. »
The coach instinctively adds the word “defensive” to his sentence, but immediately feels the need to change his mind. “He’s actually scoring goals for us now!” He surprises himself, I think! »
Indeed, Bergqvist finds himself in an unusual position for him since the Swedish team arrived in Canada, that is to say in the spotlight. Mainly recognized for his defensive qualities, he scored two goals during preparatory matches and another in the very first match of the World Juniors.
The attention that this sudden production earned him revealed his great shyness and his limited mastery of English. The Swedish team’s communications manager said that the brief interview he gave to our TSN colleague Claire Hanna had gone viral in Sweden.
“Maybe, I don’t know,” replies the smiling young man when asked if he has any hidden offensive talents. I want to produce more, so that’s good. »
“I’m really happy for him and I hope he scores several more goals by the end of this tournament,” rejoices his teammate Axel Sandin-Pellikka, the real quarterback on whom the attack of the team relies. Suede.
Bergqvist and Sandin-Pellikka have been friends since their paths crossed at Skellefteå AIK three years ago. They formed a pair on occasion this season in the SHL and Hävelid logically brought them together on the national team. Together they form the classic duo. One can serve as a rampart at the rear while the other has the freedom to spark up front.
“Since we’re so close off the ice, it’s easy to help each other stay calm and not stress too much,” explains Sandin-Pellikka, a first-round draft pick of the Detroit Red Wings. I know he is there for me and he knows the opposite is also true. »
“We don’t absolutely want to put them together because even in Skellefteå, there is a rotation and they sometimes get separated,” explains Hävelid. Rasmus doesn’t need Axel to be effective. Both tell me the same thing: “Use me however you want, coach, there’s no problem.” He’s the kind of player you want on your team. »
