Unsung Heroes: Derek Eriksson

[Cusemode 21]

I don’t think there’s any player in the VHLM who gets swept under the rug more than Derek. Derek and I didn’t grow up together, but we were close. From the time we were kids, he figured out his dream and his calling – to become one of the best forwards to ever play in the VHL. Unlike my family, Derek had the luxury of coming from wealth. From as early as 4 years old, he was already learning how to skate and play hockey, and he was getting people’s attention. I never got to play with Derek much early on, but from the times I went out to Malmo to visit him, I could tell he had a gift. His athleticism for his age was unlike anything I’ve ever seen before.

 

By the age of 10, he was gaining the attention of High School and College scouts alike, he was the next big superstar. What a lot of people don’t realize is that he also grew up in tragedy. At the tender age of 13, his parents were tragically killed in a car accident while on their way to one of his games. It nearly ruined his career. He fell into a deep depression, isolating himself from the world and cutting out hockey from his life entirely. It hurt to watch one of the best players I knew throw his life away, but I could only stand by helplessly and hope that, one day, he would lace up his skates and hit the ice again.

 

That day came when he was 18. Being on the verge of graduating, he decided to throw his hat in the ring again and try out for a junior league hockey team in Malmo. Despite his nerves and 5 year long hiatus, he exceeded everyone’s expectations. His first year, he finished with 43 points in 25 games. This was the big turning point of Derek’s life. For the first time in half a decade, I saw him smile again. He had life in every stride he took and played with more intensity than I had ever seen.

 

In just 37 games, he finished with a staggering 138 points and was named league MVP, all while leading Malmo to their first ever championship win.

 

To see Derek putting up similar numbers in the VHLM with me doesn’t surprise me in the least, what does surprise me is how little recognition he’s getting for it. In every game we’ve played, he’s had a positive impact. Despite only being a 2^nd liner, he’s consistently creating opportunities for teammates, maximizing our time of possession of the puck and scoring key goals. There’s not a doubt in my mind that his play hasn’t played a big part of our success this season.

 

With less than 10 games left before playoffs, I hope some VHL GMs take note of what he has to offer. While he may lack the experience some of the players on Saskatoon, he has something they’ll never have. He has the true heart of a champion. Nobody else in the league has had to face the type of adversities Derek has. For him to come back and perform even half as well as he has is mind blowing.

 

Derek Eriksson is an unsung hero. But to me, he’ll always be Superman.