Red Wings prospect and Skelleftea AIK forward Jonatan Berggren spoke with HockeyNews.se’s Mattias Ek in a lengthy interview, and here’s a rough translation thereof:
Berggren on Skellefteå’s generational change and Detroit’s Swedish plans
A generational change may be underway in Skellefteå AIK.
Against Brynäs, six players born in the 2000’s played, and after four games, it is Detroit-drafted Jonatan Berggren, 20, who is the new king of points.
“Yes, we are a young team. I think we have a good mix with Jocke (Lindström) and (Oscar) Möller who drive the practices and we young people follow,” says Berggren to HockeyNews.se
It has admittedly only been four games into the SHL season, but something new is about to happen in Skellefteå AIK.
Remarkably, Joakim Lindström has not yet scored a point, while team captain Oscar Möller has one assist.
Instead, it is forward Jonatan Berggren who is at the top of the internal points league, and has scored two goals and five assists in the four matches.
“I have started as I finished last season. But it is mostly the defensive game I would say that I have improved,” says Berggren to HockeyNews.se.
And what have you improved?
” I do not lie and steal all the time. (Coach Stefan) Klockare has been on me a lot that I have to think about the defense first. The attacking game, it solves itself,” says 20-year-old Berggren.
Together with his linemates Andreas Wingerli and Rickard Hugg, they manage to make a lot of mess for the opponents. When they adjust and counter, it goes lightning fast.“When my line is on, it is not so much backwards, but we still create a lot forward. That is probably the biggest difference,” says Jonatan Berggren.
You have got a better whole in the game?
“Yes, you become a player that your teammates can trust. In the defense zone, I do mine. The attacking game usually works out.”
Despite his youth, Jonatan Berggren has gone through several difficult injury periods. He had back problems in 2018/2019 and missed the world junior championship.
Last season he managed to join the world junior championship and played home to win bronze, but on January 11, Berggren’s season ended and he was forced to have shoulder surgery.
“I had trouble with my shoulder for a long time and in the end it did not work,” he says briefly about that injury.“Now my body is whole and fresh and I feel fit. Right now it’s no problem.”
And like much else in life, adversity can serve as an opportunity to get better in the long run.
“I think it has helped me more, that I have been able to build up a strength in the gym that I probably would not have done if I had been whole and healthy. It is of course that it has been difficult, but it has led to me being in as good physical shape as I am now.”
Skellefteå has been one of the country’s leading SHL teams during the 2010s with two Swedish Championship golds, four series victories, seven finals and as a talent supplier to a number of NHL clubs.
The 2020 season has just started and already seven players born in the 2000’s have played SHL hockey with Skellefteå.“Yes, we are a young team. I think we have a good mix with Jocke (Lindström) and (Oscar) Möller who drive the training and we young people follow.”
Lindström and Möller have won many titles both individually and with the teams they have represented.“You’ve been looking at them ever since you came up here. But they are part of the team so there is no big difference, but of course if you look at what, for example, Jocke does in the attack zone, he is ruggedly skilled. They are quite professional outside and know what is required so it is only positive to have them.”
The fact that the duo have only scored one point in four matches surprises many.
“It’s good that someone else scores as well so we get some confidence, he he. No, but they will deliver. I am sure of that. They create so much. Sometimes the puck does not want to enter the goal. It will be a ketchup effect once they get a puck in,” says Jonatan Berggren.
His line with Andreas Wingerli and Rickard Hugg has collected twelve points even though Hugg is without points so far.
“We know each other inside and out, and we have fun both off the ice and on the ice. It has worked great. We joke with each other a lot and I guess I am the one who makes the most jokes. Wingerli (23 years old) is starting to get a little older, so he is starting to get a little gray. I try to keep the youth in him a little,” says Berggren happily.
This is how it is during draft times he is happy to tell about his relationship with the Detroit Red Wings who chose him in the second round 2018.
“We have a good relationship, I would say. They are not too intense and want to get involved. They know that Skellefteå knows its stuff and that I should focus on Skellefteå. They call from time to time and ask how I feel as a person the most”
“Now it’s (Niklas) Kronwall. It’s new for this summer. I didn’t think he would be as nice as he was. He looks a bit bone-hard in pictures, but is ruggedly good,” says Berggren about Kronwall, who won the Stanley Cup, Olympic Gold, World Championship and Swedish Championship gold through his uncompromising attitude and skill as a defense.And on the night before Wednesday Swedish time, Frölunda forward Lucas Raymond became this year’s first choice in the NHL draft for Detroit.
“It’s just positive. He is cruelly skilled and rugged on the outside. It’s a good choice.”
Many Swedish talents are now part of Detroit’s talent pool.
“It’s a small rebuild in Detroit and it’s probably the best team to be in now as a youngster. You will get the chance and then it is important to take it. We have many good ‘prospects.'”
“Most people know how good Skellefteå has been and how many teams they help. It’s spotless up here.”
How do you see Skellefteå’s potential this SHL season?
“As always up here, we will get better and better for each game and will win the last game of the season. That is what we have always said and it will always be so.”
Do you notice any difference in the city in Skellefteå when people are not allowed to go to the games in Skellefteå’s Kraft arena?
“No, I’m still anonymous. It’s more about Jocke and they would go to town. Then maybe people talk. I can walk quite freely in the city,” says Jonatan Berggren.
