Red Wings prospect Albert Johansson spoke with HockeyNews.se’s Henrik Sjoberg in a sit-down interview that was posted via HockeyNews.se’s YouTube channel…
And thankfully, there’s a companion article which covers some of the topics discussed on video, which I’m presenting here in roughly translated form:
Support from the icon–Kronwall’s ice training with the prospect: “Glad he does such things”
Malmo. Albert Johansson has had success in the SHL during this fall, and he’s progressing toward a major role on Tomas Monten’s World Junior Championship team.
On the way there, he’s received help from Detroit Red Wings team icon Niklas Kronwall, who’s been on site in Karlstad and has laced up his skates and trained details on ice with the 19-year-old.
“It means a lot and helps me so much. It’s fun that he’s so committed and that he comes and does these things,” Johansson says to HockeyNews.se.
As many as seven players in Tomas Monten’s original World Junior team before the camp in Malmo were drafted by the Detroit Red Wings.
William Wallinder and Elmer Soderblom were eventually forced to withdraw [due to injuries], but Lucas Raymond, Theodor Niederbach, Gustav Berglund, Albert Grewe and Albert Johansson were in place for the games against Finland, which [were supposed to] start tonight.
“It’s fun to be with my peers. It’s my goal to join the World Junior Championship team, so it’s a lot of fun to be here now,” says Albert Johansson to HockeyNews.se.
Already last year, he made an impression in the SHL, but during this autumn, the 19-year-old has raised his game further, and after 13 games, he’s registered six points (3 + 3).
“Obviously it feels good. As you say, I’m in good shape now before I came here, and I would say that I had a good summer and put on a few kilograms of muscle, and I dare to do more things with my game, and the whole bit. That’s one of the things that helps me start so well, I think.”
Another reason is the support and close contact with Niklas Kronwall–who won Olympic gold, World Championship gold and the Stanley Cup.
Kronwall is a team icon for the Detroit Red Wings, and he currently works as an advisor to general manager Steve Yzerman.
Kronwall has also visited Karlstad and laced up his skates to be out on the ice and talked details of the game with Albert Johansson.
“We talk a lot. He usually sends text messages, and calls sometimes and sends over some videos with tips and so on. He’s been in Karlstad and talked to me and also been out on the ice and practiced with me, so we have a close and good contact.”
What do you do on the ice together?
“He gave me tips on how to approach different situations, and then we took some shots. We worked for half an hour on the ice, and it’s useful and fun that he’s so committed. That’s good for me as a player.”
Can you give me some examples of the details that you talked about?
“Just at that one time, there was a lot of talking about the game in one’s own zone. I’m not the biggest player in the SHL and meet players who are bigger and stronger, and then I have to be smarter than them and have a plan for how to go out against them in the corner, and how to solve such situations. That was where he had some input.”
What’s it like to have the support of a great old defenseman like Kronwall?
“It means a lot that he helps me so much. That I feel support and that he wants to help me. I have every opportunity to take part in his tips and get in touch with him, so it feels great to have him here.”
Another defender who had a very good career is Albert’s father, Roger Johansson, who won Olympic gold with the Tre Kronor in Lillehammer, and played four seasons in the NHL, and also won three Swedish Championships with Farjestad.
But today, he has a clear role when it comes to Albert’s career.
“He doesn’t have many clips, but from what I’ve seen and heard, he was a real warrior with a big heart on the team, and he always wanted to win, and that’s something that I’ve followed. I also always want to win and just play hockey with cohesion; I will do everything for the team so we’re able to win together,” says Albert.
Does he come up with many tips?
“It was a little bit more when I played on the junior team. Now he’s letting me feel for myself–and I’ve told him a few times as well–that I have my resourced in Farjestad and Detroit, and I think he’s also realized that I have the help I need around me. I don’t need it, even though he may want to [help] sometimes, but right now he’s there as a supportive father, and is there for me.”
