If you understand Swedish, you can check out
this article I wrote about Oliver Ekman-Larsson for hockeysverige.com. If you can't read Swedish, here's the English version....
Phoenix Coyotes defenseman Oliver Ekman-Larsson is a rather quiet and reserved individual. He likes his play on the ice to do the talking for him and it's speaking loud and clear as he logs an average of 25 minutes a game, has 18 points so far this season and is a +8. The former first round draft pick is arguably the best player for the Coyotes as he generates offensive opportunities with his booming shot from the point and his solid defensive positioning and is working his way into the Norris Trophy discussion as one of the NHL's best defenseman. The 21-year-old was rewarded for his efforts when he signed a 6-year, $33 million deal as a restricted free agent to stay in the desert earlier this week while the Coyotes were on the road in Columbus. To celebrate, he ordered room service - a caesar salad, pepperoni pizza and a slice of cheesecake.
His low-key personality and boyish looks have earned him the nickname Harry Potter within the Coyotes' locker room with an assist to a rookie season halloween costume.
"We had a Halloween party my first year and I dressed up as Harry Potter. It was easy to just get a pair of glasses and jeans and a shirt and a tie. It was a fun thing to do, but it wasn't anything crazy. It was very easy and I guess I did a good job because everyone said I looked like him and the name stuck." he explained.
Not only has Ekman-Larsson had to adjust to life as a professional hockey player, living in the United States and using English as his primary language, but he's also had to get used to the hot, dry weather in the Arizona desert.
"I'm used to snow and cold weather. So, it's a little bit different, but I can't complain about it. It's always nice when you have your family or friends over and you can spend some time by the pool. Although, I don't go out and enjoy it very much as you can see," he said laughing and pointing to his fair skin.
"But my parents have enjoyed it when they've come to visit and I had six buddies come over last year and they're going to come back this year when they're done playing in Sweden. I like to think they're coming to see me, but maybe it's just the nice weather," he smiled sheepishly.
His humility is one of his best qualities and it's what keeps him focused on the ice. While he's found success rather quickly in the NHL, he knows that he's capable of playing better and works hard every day to improve his skills at both ends of the ice.
"I think I'm playing pretty good," he said modestly as he currently leads the team in points. "But I still think I can get better. I try to get better everyday and bring my best every practice, every game. That's all I can to do is just try my best," he explained. "I probably shouldn't say it, but I've been focusing on my defensive play and positioning. That's probably my weakness, but it feels better and better each time I'm on the ice and I know it's improving which makes me more comfortable out there and able to make plays."
As the only Swede on the Coyotes, he's become really good friends with Danish forward Mikkel Boedker, who went to school and played in Sweden and is fluent in the language.
"He took care of me when I came over and he's a really good guy and a good player too. It's nice to be able to speak Swedish with someone sometimes too," he explained. "We were roommates on the road, which was nice. I like having someone to talk to before you go to bed and just talk about everything with, but with the new CBA he gets his own room now. So, we can't be roommates any more, but we still spend a lot of time together."
During the lockout, Ekman-Larsson could have stayed in Sweden and played in the SEL, but the Coyotes asked him to play in the AHL with their minor league affiliate in Portland, Maine. He was eager to do so to work on his leadership skills and form chemistry with some of the other young players who could be wearing a Coyotes jersey in the not too distant future, but before he came back to the United States in the fall, he made his first really big purchase - an orange Lamborghini for his father.
"It was his dream car. I don't know if it's his dream car anymore, but I know that it was," he said. "It's more of a thank you gift for everything he's done for me and for my mom too. She doesn't use it very often, but they've done so much for me and they still do. So, I wanted to give something back to them. They deserve it."
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The Hobey Baker Finalists were announced yesterday and there's much to discuss. I'll have a blog about it tomorrow.
Julie
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