With the exception of a game for Detroit in the NHL last season, it was a long time since Magnus Hellberg was seen in the North American professional league, where he has not played since some appearances for the Rangers in 2016-2017.
— Winning is of course fun. I’ve been waiting to start for a few weeks now, so it was obviously fun to do it, says Hellberg after the match.
Played in Russia
After playing in the Russian professional league KHL, most recently in Sochi, it was once again time to lace up the skates on Canadian soil, when Swedish colleague Anton Forsberg was absent due to injury.
— I told myself and my family that last season would be my last in the KHL and that I would do everything to come back here this year. It was clearly a gamble to be without a contract, without knowing how I stand compared to other goalkeepers, says Hellberg and continues:
— But I think I’ve played at a high level in recent years, in two World Cups and two Olympics. I’m glad I waited and that I was able to get this contract, he says.
“Inner Operation”
The 31-year-old, raised in Almtuna in Uppsala, was named the best player of the match and made 29 saves as Ottawa became the first team this season to beat Dallas in regular time.
— I have that inner drive to play at the top, at the highest level I can. And I feel like I can play in this league full time.
Ottawa coach DJ Smith was pleased with Hellberg’s performance.
“He did great, he was outstanding and really gave us a real chance,” he says after the match.