The Swedish hockey map is being redrawn. Most visible expression of this is that SHL this season expanded by two teams and comprises 14 clubs. The geographical focus is pushed further south. Karlskrona, Rögle and Malmö are newcomers which means that you rightly can start talking about the entire Swedish league. It stretches from Luleå in the north to Malmö in the south. Gothenburg in the west of Stockholm in the east.
And there somewhere right between we Orebro. A fledgling at the highest level that had already leaving a mark on the establishment. Both on the ice and off.
After qualifying first year 2013/14 played Orebro last spring quarterfinals where they pressured prospective champion Vaxjo in a tight match series. This while established Farjestad and HV71 suffered a förförlig seasonal and classic Modo had to qualify to remain on the White Horse – Örebro cooperative club in the league.
The Hockey Sweden is Behrn arena already established as the one with the coolest crowd pressure. When Gavle rink, the Scandinavium Arena and Löfbergs arena saw a gaping empty chairs was basically sold out every once in Örebro. And those who were there were invited often something extra.
As the club Örebro Hockey taken off arrangements to a completely different level of the local sport. In a short time has managed to create a whole for all age groups, men, women and children. Whether you’re a hockey geek, medbjuden friend or seasoned sports journalist, it is hard not to get carried away by the atmosphere.
To the club last year additionally enlisted the league’s best goalkeeper in Slovakian július hudáček – his of its own patented “Hudashow” for profits – made course, not make things worse. Or that players like Martin Johansson, daniel viksten, Viktor Ekbom and Johan Motin had such development that they had to pull on the national team jersey.
Coach Kenta Johansson’s philosophy is marked by speed and excitement. And also where the club found an unexpected delights in Derek Ryan brought from the Austrian league and became the whole series point king.
Now the deeply religious American try your luck in the NHL. Profiles Tomas Skog, Jared Aulin and hard pushing loan Petr Zámorský have also left.
As the general manager Pontus Gustafsson built his new team, he has again leaned on a tried and true method. He has searched the lower series and east. From the headlines will slope Alexander Hellström and striker Greg Squires. Peter Andersson from the AHL and Joel Mustonen from Finland, both with little checkered careers. The tip should be Slovakian Libor Hudacek, that makes his brother joined for the first time at senior level, and Czech Jakub Petruzalek – perhaps the most accomplished new signing in the club’s history.
Every preseason marked by dreams and uncertainty. Nothing is as misleading as the training matches in hockey. I should, therefore, be quite calm considering what Orebro done so far in the SHL.
But unfortunately – inside me gnaw still question marks:
+ Can Hudacek – as coach Kenta Johansson some affectionately call “Julle” – on their own to continue to win games for the team?
+ meets the new slopes tempo and hardness of SHL?
+ Can Jakub Krejcik to go from last year’s zero scoresheet to being points leader back in powerplay?
+ Handles Finnish chain with Marko Anttila, Mikko Lehtonen and Ville Viitaluoma to change up
+ Can Jakub Petruzalek to shoulder the burden of Derek Ryan’s 60 points?
All Frago r must be straightened out to the exclamation point to Orebro be able to hang on to the top. Especially a season when several other clubs poised dramatically. Lulea worst by picking competitors name Toni Rajala, Jacob Micflikier and Bill Sweatt. Reigning European Champion now aims also spoken on the SM-gold. There are many indications that those pitted against Skellefteå, led by KHL who returned Jimmie Ericsson. In this case west bottoming DEVICES sixth straight national finals.
The main contenders for a pure northern Duell looks Farjestad and Vaxjo to be in the moment, with Frölunda as little outsider.
About Orebro after 52 rounds clench a direct place in the quarter-finals (place one-six) is a small feat. More likely is that the team will have to fight for a place in the eighth finals.
But do not forget that hockey solicitation window remains open until the end of January, which is guaranteed to overturn a number of predictions. Much can happen with SHL troops before we have the answer.
Now it is instead fully focused on the expectations.
Can you hear the echo of “it is we who are Örebro”?
Time to drop the puck so that the season can finally get started!
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