Saturday’s 3–1 victory at home against Timrå was Brynäs’ sixth straight and now the team leads the entire SHL after thirteen games.
After the victory, the team – and perhaps above all defender Victor Söderström – was greatly praised in “Hockeylördag”.
– What a downside they have. All of them can handle the puck in an incredible way. What an addition to the SHL he is, says expert Staffan Kronwall in TV4’s broadcast.
– We talk a lot about Brynä’s returnees and most are around the 30 mark, but this is a young guy born in 2001 and that he comes home at this stage of his career is almost unique, says his colleague Adam Johansson.
Love playing in Gävle
Victor Söderström has spent the last few years on the Arizona Coyotes’ farm team, and this summer asked for a three-way deal when the organization moved to Utah, but got no response.
And as time went on, he became familiar with the idea of returning home to Gävle and Brynäs, and finally it happened.
– It felt like the best option. I love playing here in front of all the fans in Gävle, there is not much that beats it, he says in TV4’s broadcast.
– I felt that I want to find joy in hockey again, it has been two quite tough years mentally.
The answer about the national team: “Talked a little…”
He is happy about the team’s start, but is hardly as surprised as most others seem to be.
– I have said all along that I am not shocked. It’s okay that we are newcomers, but if you look at the paper, I think we have one of the best squads in the entire NHL … or SHL I mean. We have many players with NHL games and many who have played in the SHL and other leagues for a long time.
When asked if Tre Kronor’s national team captain Sam Hallam contacted him before Monday’s selection of the Karjala Cup squad, he answers with a rather lousy poker face:
– Ah, I’ve talked to them a bit… but yes, I probably won’t say anything before, he says with a smile.
Watch all matches from the SHL on TV4 Play
HOCKEY ON TV4 PLAY
See all matches in SHL and Hockeyallsvenskan on TV4 Play.