The Växjö Lakers head into the CHL Semi-Finals as Sweden’s top team, with a lead of some 13 points at the head of the SHL. On the ice, their mix of youth and experience is setting them up well. Last season, the Lakers went out in the CHL Semis and the SHL Quarters; this year they're aiming for the clean sweep.
Defenceman Joel Persson is the Lakers’ LGT Top Scorer – one of only five defencemen in the entire CHL to lead his team. But Persson, who also leads SHL defencemen in points, isn’t the veteran d-man you might expect. The Kristianstad native is in his first SHL season with Växjö after joining the team over the summer.
“It has been a big and fun step, and I’m learning new things every day,” says the 22-year-old about the jump from Sweden’s third tier to the SHL, and also playing European hockey in the CHL. “I think it is interesting to play against a different kind of hockey that the more southern teams in Europe play. I like the tournament, to travel around in Europe and play teams from different countries.”
In five seasons, Persson has gone from third and fourth tier Swedish hockey as an 18-year-old, to now being on the top team in the SHL. “If I compare today with five years ago, it is a huge difference. Back then, I only played because I thought it was fun!” he explains. “Now I have the chance to be a pro hockey player and have been given the chance to be as good as possible. My motivation back then was the love of the game; it still is today, but I’m also serious about it now."
Behind Persson is a wealth of experience. Netminder Viktor Fasth has 63 NHL, 41 KHL, and now over 100 SHL games under his belt. “Being back in Växjö is great. I had three good years within the organization the last time I was here and it feels great to be back,” says the 35-year-old, who played for the Lakers last in 2009/10 season when they were promoted to the SHL.
“There’s a lot of people that still work within the organization since my last stretch in Växjö. The club has grown and developed on many levels, and they keep working hard to become even bigger and better.”
“You need to find you’re way to becoming the greater you."Viktor Fasth (goaltender, Växjö Lakers)
“Since I turned pro and played in different leagues around the world, I’ve met a lot of different people and I’ve experienced a lot of different cultures. This has given me a lot of experience and I think I’ve grown as a human being,” added the 2017 World Championship gold medalist with Sweden. “I’ve learned to adapt to different situations and handle both success, and not so much success. I think this is essential in becoming a great athlete.”
He concludes: “You need to find you’re way to becoming the greater you.” Wise words, indeed.
The team also includes Elias Pettersson, who was with Sweden at the recent World Junior Championships. Pettersson netted five goals in that tournament and is the Lakers' Top Scorer in the SHL with 11 goals and 24 assists.