Red Wings prospect Elmer Soderblom scored a beautiful goal for Team Sweden yesterday at the World Junior Championship…
We know it's only 2 days in, but this goal from Elmer Soderblom is a solid contender for goal of the #WorldJuniors. @Trekronorse @DetroitRedWings pic.twitter.com/7xSduLaVtz
— IIHF (@IIHFHockey) December 26, 2020
Nifty hands from Elmer Soderblom to extend Sweden's lead ? pic.twitter.com/ZtoBEiZCzX
— TSN (@TSN_Sports) December 26, 2020
And Hockeysverige.se’s Robin Olausson spoke with Elmer’s older brother, Arvid, regarding his “little” brother’s play. What follows is roughly translated from Swedish:
“Not surprised that he scored such a goal”
Elmer Soderblom shone for Sweden in the World Junior Championship premiere with a dream goal.
Someone who is not surprised by the Frolunda talent’s success is his big brother, Arvid Soderblom, who plays for Skelleftea AIK.
“He’s quite unique in his way of playing,” says the older Soderblom to Hockeysverige.se.
The WJC premiere has completed for the Junior Crowns, and what a premiere it was!
Sweden did start tough, but then got off to a really good start and ran over the Czechs to take home the game with a 7-1 score.
One of those who sat on the bench to watch the game was Skelleftea goaltender Arvid Soderblom.
“It’s cool for them to get off to a good start, with many different goal-scorers and good goaltending. They must be happy with it, because they weren’t allowed to play any exhibition games,” says the 21-year-old to Hockeysverige.se.
Arvid Soderblom is the big brother of Elmer Soderblom, who can be found in this year’s edition of the Junior Crowns. He was impressed by his two-years-younger brother, and thought he had a good interaction with linemates Theodor Niederbach and Emil Heineman.
“Their line probably got a little sparse playing time in the first period, but then they got into it more and more. I think they all did well, and Elmer also played well,” says the older Soderblom, who continues:
“He took matters into his own hands, played his game, and was strong on the puck and took the puck to the goal as well. He created a lot going forward and played the way he can when he’s at his best.”
“JUST PLAYS WITH INSTINCT”
Elmer Soderblom was also responsible for the delicacy of the game when, in the 3rd period, he delivered an early candidate for the goal of this year’s WJC.
He stood in front of the goal on the power play, got a pass and then pulled the puck between his own legs to lift the puck into the net behind a chance-less Nick Malik in the Czech goal.
After the game, Sodeblom was praised for his artistry.
“That was unbelievable. He’s a big guy, but he has good hands, too. It was an incredible goal,” said Albin Sundsvik at the post-game press conference.
Big brother Soderblom also praises Elmer for his goal.
“He has good range and is strong there in front of the goal, and it’s fun to see.”
Is it something he’s done to you several times when you’ve trained together?
“No, not exactly that variant, but you know that he has good hands and good range. I’m not surprised that he actually scored such a goal.”
It takes some self-confidence to do so at a WJC.
“Yes, it absolutely does. It comes quite naturally to him and I think he’s playing only on instinct. That’s when it usually goes best for him.”
“HE HAS A GOOD COMBINATION”
Arvid Soderblom has basically followed his brother’s entire hockey journey, and is one of the ones who knows him best.
He believes that Elmer has several qualities that are easy to be impressed by.
“He’s so big and tall but still has control of his arms, legs and puck. He can move on the ice in a smooth way even though he’s so big. He can reach goals and score a lot of goals and points. His combination of size and skill stands out.”
The combination of size (202 centimeters tall & 108 kilos heavy) and hands is something that’s very unusual.
“He has good skills and can also do the job in front of the goal and stand there and hit rebounds. It’s a good combination.”
“That makes him a bit unique in his way of playing.”
“DIFFICULT TO FOLLOW WJC LIVE”
Bir brother Soderblom is happy that he was able to watch Saturday’s game against the Czech Republic. Considering that he both practices and plays with Skelleftea in the near future, it will be difficult for him to sit up and watch the games live to follow his little brother’s progress.
“It’s not possible to stay up at night, but it will be good when they play early games, otherwise you have to check a lot of highlights. You have to follow as best you can,” Arvid Soderblom concludes.
