Tallinder Reflects On First VHLM Season

[Patrik Tallinder 1,087]

September 10, 2019

Seated impatiently in an arena flooded with eager hockey players from around the globe, Patrik Tallinder found himself awaiting what they all did: a familiar name, projected on the stage alongside the logo of a VHLM team that would decide to take a chance on them. His mother to his left, and his younger brother Nils to his right, they all glared ahead, eyes glued to the screen that would soon include his name among the others drafted that night. At pick number 31, there it was. He had been selected by the Mississauga Hounds. He hugged his family, headed down the stairs and to the floor, and so it began.

 

September 15, 2019

His first game. Running on nerves and adrenaline, Tallinder registered one shot on goal in his first time throwing on the blue jersey. He recalls the moment as "probably the most nerve racking of [his] life," with his friends and family in attendance, among the thousands of other eyes on him. The match was a game of back and forth, which ultimately fell to San Diego, 6-5.

 

September 16, 2019

In the team's 9th game of the season,  the young Swede scored his first goal in the VHLM. After a slow offensive start, he really took off from here, en route to a 34 goal season. Overwhelmed with joy, Tallinder was all smiles following his first tally. 

 

October 22, 2019

After a season of hard work from the Hounds, he was more than ready to take on the challenges of playoff hockey. Perhaps a little too energetic, the poise of Block Buster prevailed, earning a shutout in the game.

 

October 23, 2019

And this is where the chapter ends. Shut down once again by the fantastic goaltending of Block Buster, this game marked the end of the Hounds playoff run, and Patrik Tallinder's first VHLM season along with it.

 

"It's never easy," the Hound said, touching on the way the season ended. "You never expect to lose, and it's always so abrupt when the season ends like that."

 

Realizing the likelihood of staying in the VHLM next season, Tallinder has set goals for himself to reach.  "Some people see [staying down in the VHLM] as a bad thing. The way I see it, it's another opportunity to improve all aspects of my game, and more importantly, another opportunity to win the Founder's Cup."

 

When asked about his plans for the offseason, he mentioned that he will be returning to Sweden to train with his brother, and to spend time with his other brother, Lucas. Although he is happy to return home, he is impatient for a second crack at the VHLM title. 

 

"This was just a fraction of what we can accomplish. Next year, we know we are serious contenders."