The Team

Frölunda HC has been a powerhouse in the SHL for all of Elmer Söderblom´s life. Since he was born, on July 5th 2001, Frölunda has reached the playoff finals five times, winning four titles in the process. After, by their standards, a mediocre season last year, things are looking up for the Gothenburg team. At the time of this interview, Frölunda have won eight out of their past ten games in the SHL, adding two CHL wins as well. Last Saturday they looked to be on their way to yet another win, but they lost their focus and ended up throwing away a 2-0 to what would be a 4-3 overtime loss to the Malmö Redhawks.

"Overall, we perform pretty well as a team. But we have to eliminate some mistakes and try not to give up the puck in bad areas. If we can simplify our game, things will be good." Elmer Söderblom says, continuing: "We're off to a great start here. I'd say our team is more in sync compared to last season."

In charge of the Frölunda SHL team is coach Roger Rönnberg, currently the longest tenured coach in the SHL. Rönnberg has been the head coach of Frölunda since the start of the 2013-14 season. To outsiders, Rönnberg can come off as a hard styled coach, but Söderblom likes what his coach brings.

"Yeah, he can be like that to us as well. I like him. He's got different sides, obviously. But he's always pushing us to become better players and better as a team."

Söderblom grew up in Gothenburg and growing up in Gothenburg in the 2000's, Frölunda hockey was never far away. He went to his first games with his grandfather and his brother Arvid (currently the goalie of the Rockford IceHogs in the AHL). From being a supporter, he's now a part of the team he grew up cheering for.

The League

He made his SHL debut in the 2019/2020 season on a trip to Linköping.

"We went there with the U20 team as well, both us and the SHL team had games in Linköping at the same time.. While on the bus, my coach approached me and said I was to report to the SHL team to play that night. So when we arrived, I grabbed my stuff and went to the other locker room, haha!" he says.

What was that like?

"Given the short notice, it was something special for sure. I got some shifts as well, so it was quite the experience."

The debut was followed with more games and in total he played ten games in the season that was to be cancelled in the spring due to Covid-19. But he did get a few games at home in front of the Frölunda faithful.

{!A}

"That was really cool. Even though I was on the bench quite a lot, I really enjoyed following the game from up close and I felt the energy surging from the crowd."

The SHL crowds are known for their songs and chants throughout the games, which begs a two-part question:

Can you take in all the songs and feelings, and can you get energy from the crowds at away games even though they might just be booing you and trying to get you off your game?

"For sure! There's an energy boost playing in front of the crowds. And playing away games…That makes it feel more serious, there are more feelings involved. I get extra energy from that."

How would you describe the SHL as a league?

"It's a fast league. It's always full speed ahead, but with control in a way. The attacks are pretty long with cycle games in the O-zone and lots of passing plays, setting things up. Compared to North America…. Over there, shooting comes first and everyone crashes the net to get the rebounds. Here, the play is more controlled. You try not to shoot unnecessarily." he says, adding: "Of course, games can take a different route but that's my view of the league."

Last season, Elmer Söderblom had five points, three goals and two assists, in 28 games. In his first 14 games this season, he has six goals and three assists to his name already. What has been the biggest difference to his game?

"I've got more confidence, having played last season as well. And I'm being put into more situations."

He's not wrong. Last season he averaged 9:58 minutes per game, 26 seconds per game being on the powerplay. This season he's averaging 11:42 minutes per game with 1:54 minutes being on the powerplay.

The Player

And using his big stature, 6'8", 220 lbs, he's making the opposing d-men work hard, often moving in from the wing to wreak havoc in front of the net. And if you've watched him play, you know he does it in a very smooth way. How is that? Well, he has been playing hockey for most of his life, but he also did Greco-Roman wrestling with his brother Arvid when he was younger.

"Hockey was our primary sport. I've been playing soccer as well. But I did wrestle for a few years I think it was our dad who saw the benefits from it… he says, realizing there was another reason as well: "Or..we were fighting a lot, me and Arvid. So we thought it could be a good thing for us. The physical training of wrestling is very good and you do get your body in order and you practice controlling your body in another way. So, yeah, I guess it has played a role"

{!B}

Speaking of Arvid. The brothers did play together in the Frölunda organization for a few years before Arvid moved to Skellefteå, where he played 22 games last season, before heading over to the Rockford IceHogs prior to this season.

Did you ever face each other in the SHL?

Yeah, we played twice. The first time, he came on as a substitute when Gustaf Lindvall got injured during a game in Skellefteå. The second time, he was the starter in Scandinavium. We're keeping track of one another and it's been great fun to play against him, but I haven't scored on him yet, haha! Maybe we'll play each other sometime in the future," he says.

Speaking of the future. Elmer Söderblom was drafted by the Detroit Red Wings in the sixth round, 159th overall, back in 2019. Does he dare to dream of the NHL?

"Yeah, of course one can dream. But at the same time, you need to focus on what's here and now. I take one day at a time," he says.

I ask if he is in touch with the Red Wings organization.

"Yeah, Niklas Kronwall has been in Sweden quite a lot so we've been talking some. I get the feeling they've got a good feel for where their prospects are at," he says.

The NHL is still a dream. The SHL is very much a reality for Elmer Söderblom. And it's going pretty well so far.