One player in particular at this year's Ivan Hlinka Memorial Cup already has a fair bit of pro hockey experience. Oliver Kylington, a 17-year-old defenceman, played for Färjestad BK Karlstad in last year's SHL finals and now is patrolling the blueline of Sweden's U18 national team.
by Derek O'Brien
PIEŠŤANY, Slovakia - The group stage is complete at the 2014 Ivan Hlinka Memorial Cup and Sweden finished second in its group with a 2-1 record, with wins over Slovakia and Switzerland sandwiched around a loss to Canada.
Oliver Kylington is a big part of this Swedish team. He had a goal and an assist in the team's win over Slovakia and was named the team's game MVP. But then, it's not surprising that a player who already has 44 professional games under his belt, including finals experience, would be an asset to a U18 national team. He spoke about playing in the current tournament and for Färjestad BK Karlstad shortly after his team's win over Switzerland on Wednesday.
Your team went 2-1 in the group stage. How would you evaluate the play of both your team and yourself?
I think we have a good team. I think we can beat every team in this tournament, so I think we can go far. As for my own part, I play with a pro team so it can be an adjustment to come down and play with the juniors, but I try to play my game and do as much as I can to help my team win.
You've played three games in three days. Now you have a day off before your semi-final game on Friday. How are you going to prepare for that?
We'll get a good night's sleep tonight and then tomorrow maybe go on the ice and do some exercise, but just prepare ourselves for Friday's game. It´s going to be a big game, so everybody's gotta be ready.
You mentioned playing pro hockey. Does that experience make it difficult to get motivated for playing in a U18 tournament in August?
No, not at all. I take pride in playing for my country - playing for Sweden - so no, it's not hard to get motivated.
You played in the SHL finals last year. What kind of experience was that for you?
It's big. I remember when I was little watching the Swedish league on television and, of course, the Finals . . . It's a big deal in Sweden and it's a different level of hockey - more intense. It was fun and now I'm trying to take that experience and bring it to the ice in whatever hockey I play, whether it's here with the junior nationals or in pre-season games.
Your Färjestad team also played in the AHL All-Star Game last year. What was that like?
It was unreal. It was a lot of fun. It's interesting to play against players who have played in the NHL and others who are going up to the NHL, and it was also fun to play in the Skills Competition.
Which events did you participate in?
I was in the puck control relay, when you have to skate around the cones, and I was also in the penalty shot contest.
How did you do?
I fell (laughing). But I won the puck relay and then I scored on my penalty shot. So that was okay, but I wasn't so happy when I fell.
Very soon you've got some big games with Färjestad in the Champions Hockey League. Does playing here in the Hlinka Memorial help you prepare for that?
Yes of course. It gives me some big-game time. Especially when you play some of these top teams here like Canada or the Czechs, who we have on Friday, these are big, intense, physical games. It's good to get that experience this time of year before we start playing the big games back home.
You're projected to be a top pick in next year's NHL Entry Draft and a lot of scouts are following you. Does that add any pressure to your upcoming season?
I don't feel the pressure. I'm trying not to think about the scouts watching. I'm just trying to focus on my game, because that's the only thing I have control over.
What part of your game do you feel you need to improve?
I don't know. Maybe my defensive play a little bit. Of course, I think I need to work on everything, like my shot or my passing. I want to keep getting better because when you play pro, you need to be good at everything.
Well keep working and good luck.