OldTimeHockey

I'm hoping to be one of the premier defenceman in the VHL in five seasons and hope to become one of the leaders on the ice. As for a goal, I'm hoping to reach around 300 points in the VHL. That's what I'm hoping to become, I feel like kids in places like Sweden need a hockey idol to look up to to ensure the game continues to grow in our homes. I have always been willing to put in the effort but I have never managed to make everything click at once. The coaches have me watching film and performing many different drills to improve that portion of the game. I've learned that skating actually plays a bigger role than I expected when it comes to the defensive zone. It has been great so far, not having to move to a new continent has probably helped me get off to a big start in the league. The guys in the locker room have been great too, I have no complaints with the team so far.

Only the best wishes hahaha and Yupp! Go right ahead!

Things have been clicking for the Oslo Storm to begin their newest campaign, and Marcus Högberg has become one of their key contributors early in the season. Högberg has been a force for them on the blueline, with 7 points in 10 games played for Oslo so far this season. This shouldn’t come as a surprise for anyone who watched Högberg during his junior years, where he gained the reputation as one of the more consistent scorers. “It’s always nice when skills from your time in junior can translate into a new league and I’m glad I’ve been able to make an easy transition and have my talents help my team this early in the season,” Högberg told media recently. And translate they have. Högberg has scored seven points in 10 games this season, with five of those being helpers. But what’s been even more impressive has been his ability to play defense this early in the season. Despite playing as a defenceman, Högberg was never known as someone who could be a consistent contributor in the defensive zone. It would appear that the Oslo coaches have managed to get their message through to the Swedish defenceman, which has translated into results on the ice. Högberg ranks among the league leaders in plus/minus this season, sitting at an impressive plus eight this early in the season. “The coaching staff has been really helpful this season in helping me round out my defensive game. I’ve been working hard this season on that portion of my game early this season and I know the coach’s have been taking notice which ahs provided myself with a nice little confidence booster.” His coach’s have definitely taken notice of his extra work this season and have rewarded him with ice-time. Högberg is the team leader in ice-time per game which has helped the Oslo storm to a first-place position to begin the season, getting off to an 8-2 record during the first 10 games of the season. “Having the trust of the coaches is a major thing for me personally, so I think it’s definitely helped me that I was lucky enough to be drafted by a team that has such a great coaching staff that’s willing to let a young player like myself get some much needed experience on the ice and not be forced to watch from the bench/ It’s been really helpful to my growth here in the league.” Another contributor to his early success could also be that Högberg didn’t have to get used to an entirely new culture and time zone. Oslo is a very short tripe away from his home of Gothenburg, which means he has had the luxury of not having to get acclimated. One of the hardest things for a young player is having to get up and move to an entirely different place than what they have grown familiar too. It will be interested to find out if Högberg and Oslo can continue their success to start the season as they try to make up for last year’s championship loss. Word count: 514

33 Oslo 34 Ottawa 36 Yukon 37 Ottawa

Reign 4-3

@Boragina awww yeah! Thanks!

It's just a number I was given when I first began playing hockey. I've been lucky enough to continue to wear it everywhere I go so It's followed me throughout my career. I've always just been more offensively gifted. I've been trying to work on my defence, but it hasn't clicked in just yet. I've tried to play a different position but I've always felt comfortable patrolling the blue line.

Thanks!

The recent VHLM draft has wrapped up and hockey’s future stars now know where they will be starting their careers. One of the shocks of the draft might be how high Swedish defenceman Marcus Högberg was taken in the draft. The 19-year-old Gothenburg native was taken third overall in the draft by the Oslo Storm and was the second defenceman taken off the board in a very deep draft on the blue line. “I was a bit surprised to be taken off the board so early,” Högberg said. “It’s not because I didn’t feel like I was one of the more talented players in the draft, I just didn’t think I got the same sort of exposure to the scouts as some of the other players did in the draft.” If there was a concern about being overlooked, it wasn’t going to be by the team that would take the defenceman. Oslo is only a three-and-a-half hour drive from Gothenburg, where Högberg grew up and played his junior hockey. Högberg even remembers making the drive a few times to watch the storm on the ice. “Me and my dad would try to get out to a game once a year in Oslo. Despite it not being the VHL, the game day experience was always fun at storm games and I am looking forward to being a part of it.” While he admits it will be nice to be able to continue to play hockey so close to home, he hopes that he is far enough away that he won’t constantly be compared to his father. “I had made it pretty clear that I wanted to get away from Sweden because it was beginning to weigh heavily on my shoulders the constant comparison between me and him,” Högberg said. “I know Oslo offers me a great chance to begin my career and I am still excited to join the team.” Högberg joins an Storm team that will be looking for redemption after losing in the VHLM finals last season in five games to the Ottawa Lynx. In the Swedish defenceman, the team will be getting someone who can turn into one of their top players along the blue line. Högberg has all the ingredients to become one of the premier offensive forces in the league and could turn into a game-changer for the Storm. It won’t come without its own challenges of course. The Storm will need to deal with the fact that Högberg isn’t as polished defensively as most of those at the position. He will need the proper coaching in order to continue to grow that portion of his game. The team will also need to find a way to ensure that the 19-year-old can stay motivated throughout the entire season. Mental toughness has been a weakness for the defenceman during his young career and the team will need to work with him on that as well. Also joining the team in the new season will be Ludolf von Gooch, a winger from Amsterdam, American centre Matthew Keller and Molholt, another defenceman hailing from Tulsa. Word count: 516

It has been good to me thus far. The general managers and staff have been very kind and helpful as I prepare to move from Sweden into the league. I am looking forward to completing my move and beginning my career in a new country. I was drawn to the VHL because it gives me an opportunity to prove myself and form my own path. In Sweden, I am always being compared to my father which can wear on a young player. I want to come over here and begin to write my own chapters, and not just be a continuation of my father's story. Growing up in Sweden, it's hard to not look up to Peter Forsberg. He is one of the all-time greats on the world stage and I really looked up to him, as well as my father. I actually got to meet him a few times at hockey events my family would attend. He was always one to offer advice, especially when it came to playing in North America.

This is the introductory press conference for Swedish defenceman Marcus Högberg. He arrived by plane from Gothenburg just a few hours ago and looks forward to answering any questions members of the media might have as he prepares for the VHLM Entry draft.

Marcus Högberg Defenceman Gothenburg, Sweden Height: 6'5" (77 inches) Weight: 225 pounds Handedness: Right Age: 19 Jersey Number 77 Marcus Högberg is a Swedish defenceman born in Gothenburg. He has been a life-long hockey player, with his dad, Erik, being one of the most revered coaches and former players in all of Sweden. Högberg has been a mainstay on the Swedish blueline in international play. While Högberg had the option to stay in Sweden and play professionally there, Högberg decided to take his talents to the VHL in order to form his own path, away from the shadow of his father. PROS Offensive prowess - Högberg is one of the more offensively gifted prospects to come from Sweden in a while. Högberg prides himself on being able to come up with the much-needed goal or weaving the play that helps his team when it's needed most. He is able to see the game differently than most defenceman and can help guide his teammates in the offensive zone. Skating - Högberg is yet another example of Sweden's commitment to excellence on skates. He is one of the smoothest skaters on the ice most nights and has the ability to reach top speed with only a few strides. His skating ability allows him to move around players with ease on the ice, which opens up shooting and passing lanes that allow his to work his offensive magic. Hockey lineage - Högberg comes from one of the more respected hockey families within Sweden. His father is considered one of the all-time greats to play in Sweden. Marcus has followed in his father's footsteps, getting involved in hockey at a very young age. He often gets compared to his father when he first started playing, which is something that has recently begun to annoy Marcus and is one of the reasons he decided to go to the VHL. CONS Defensive zone play - One of the things that has driven his coaches nuts in the past is Högberg's play in the defensive zone. He has never been a consistent shutdown defender, which has drawn the ire of his coaches. He was moved to wing for a short spell but never got comfortable, always feeling more at home on the blueline. If coaches in the VHL can continue to work with him on the defensive side of hockey, they could find a very special talent. Lack of physical play - Högberg isn't the one who is going to initiate contact in most cases, preferring to try and go for the poke check. He also hates being hit and can get taken off of his game if the hits begin to add up. He has been trying to bulk up more in order to avoid the physical toll the hits can take on him, but he still suffers mentally from the hits. Discipline (On and off the ice) - While he isn't always in the box, he has been known to get frustrated and take a stupid penalty int he heat of the moment. He has a lot of growing up to do off the ice as well, often participating in practical jokes and saying what's on his mind, which doesn't always sit well with his teammates. He will require a strong veteran presence to help him grow, otherwise his problems may escalate which could lead to rifts within the locker room.

Hi everyone! I'm the worst when it comes to doing anything creative outside of typing so I'd appreciate it if someone was willing to make a sig for my player? I was thinking of using Victor Hedman as a player model and if you could give it a Swedish feel that would be sweet, but it's not mandatory!

Hey, someones gotta cheer them on.