Red Wings prospect and Frolunda Indians forward Elmer Soderblom scored one hell of a goal at the World Junior Championship this past Saturday, and Aftonbladet’s Anton Johansson was able to catch up with both Elmer himself and his mother, Susanne, regarding Soderblom’s goal and his upbringing.
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
What follows is roughly translated from Swedish.
First, here’s what Soderblom had to say about his goal…
“The most beautiful goal I’ve scored”
Elmer Soderblom impressed TV viewers, leaders and teammates with his goal in the WJC premiere.
And himself.
“It’s probably the most beautiful goal I’ve scored,” he says.
It was on the power play in the 7-1 victory against the Czech Republic that Lucas Raymond served Elmer Soderblom [with the puck] in front of the opponent’s net. The tall forward thanked him for the pass by moving the puck between his legs and sprinkled the puck into the far side of the net.
If Soderblom did not understand what he had done before, he understood it when he opened his phone afterwards.
“There were many congratulations from family and friends. It was very cool to see it,” he says.
“The whole bench cheered”
Teammates Alexander Holtz and Emil Heineman were both impressed with the play.
“I didn’t see it at first. I thought it was a normal score, but on the replay I saw that it was between the legs. The whole bench broke into a great cheer. It was cool to see,” says Heineman.
Soderblom, who measures 202 centimeters tall, impressed in the game with his combination of size and stick technique.
“I have always been tall and big, ever since I was little. I have always liked to keep my hands going and stickhandle a lot. There have been a lot of technology pucks at home and on the shooting range. It’s become a good combination in the end,” he says.
That shooting range. How many goals have you scored on Arvid (his big brother, a goaltender for Skelleftea) on it?
“It’s become one thing or another. He’s probably saved more pucks than I have scored. We’ve had fun growing up on that ramp.”
Have you scored a similar goal on him on the ice?”
“I’ve never met him in a game, actually. But hopefully it will come in the future,” he says.
They challenge
Soderblom has already set the bar high in terms of the best-looking goal in the tournament among the Junior Crowns’ players. But he’s clear about who are the main candidates to break it.
“It will probably be Holtz or Raymond. They have many skills to choose from,” he says.
And here’s Elmer’s mother, Susanne, speaking with Johansson:
“We call Elmer The Mailman”
Elmer Soderblom was responsible for the delicacy of the match in the WJC premiere.
In front of the TV in Hovas sat his mother, Susanne Rittedal-Soderblom.
“I just flew upward screamed and jumped on the couch,” she says.
At home in Hovas, the Soderblom family had recharged before the Junior Crowns’ premiere against the Czech Republic. Flags had been hung and scarves were on.
And they were not disappointed.
Elmer Soderblom scored a dream goal when he brought the puck and stick between his legs in front of the net, and splashed the puck in the cage.
“I was sitting here at home at full swing. Then when he did it, I barely had time to see what was happening. There were only legs and sticks everywhere, and then it sat, bang in the net,” says Susanne Rittedal-Soderblom.
“He’s fantastic and really dares to do his thing. That’s what matters, to dare. We usually say at home that there are no failures, just feedback. So if something doesn’t work, you have to fix it and try to do better next time,” she says.
Mother Susanne is known for her participation in the television show Robinson in 1998 and 2012 when she became, “Robinson Susanne” for the Swedish people. But during most of the 2000’s, a large part of time has been spent on her three sports-playing children.
How was Elmer as a child?
“He is a very caring, kind and happy person. And very hard-working when he wants to learn something. Stubborn as a thousand. He has a very easy time learning things once he has made up his mind. If he decides to play the guitar, he sits and practices, practices and practices.
“The Mailman”
Elmer Soderblom stands out on the ice with his size. He’s 202 centimeters tall, but at the same time, possesses a fine stick technique. Susanne says that has always been the case–at the same time as he has always had a nose for goals.
“He has always scored a lot of goals. We call him ‘The Mailman.'”
Because he always delivers?
“Exactly. We joked about it when he was little because he scored a lot of goals and liked it.”
Tough game nights
The family is otherwise a large sports family. Elmer’s big brother, Arvid, is a goaltender with Skelleftea, and little sister Vera is promising in basketball, playing for RIG Lulea and the national team at the youth level. In addition, father Martin had a long ice hockey career at the Division 1 level.
“We are in a bit of competition people all the way, so it’s difficult to play games with the family without someone getting angry or annoyed. I don’t think that’s happened, it’s only the win that counts,” says Susanne with a laugh.
They may benefit from this in sports.
“Yes, that’s right, but you can maybe calm down when you are at home. But there is probably some small competition gene in the whole pile here at home,” she says.
Spurred on each other
At home on the plot, the family has always had a puck-shooting range. For goalkeeper Arvid and forward Elmer, it has been a lot of wear and tear on that ramp. And the hockey-playing brothers have been able to benefit from each other while growing up.
“I think they’ve been a very good support to each other. Becaus they play different positions, they haven’t competed but instead encouraged each other. Arvid has always been the disciplined one, and had his routines, and Elmer has probably been inspired by his big brother, I definitely think so,” says Susanne, who continues:
“And also Vera. They have inspired each other and seen that it is possible to have each other for support. Elmer was with Tingsryd for a while last season, and then Elmer lived with Arvid, and had to take care of the kitchen. Then they trained together in the summer. You never have time off when you’re an elite athlete, so when we’ve been abroad or at the country home in Dalarna, they’ve gone to the gym or been out training.”
Elmer Soderblom and the Junior Crowns will meet Austria on [Monday night], and there is no doubt that the family in Hovas will be in their seats.
“We will definitely do that,” says Susanne.
Quick update: Soderblom also spoke with Hockeynews.se’s Henrik Sjoberg regarding his goal, but the comments are very similar. Sweden must have held a Zoom call where Soderblom spoke with the media at large.
