Red Wings prospect Moritz Seider has had a significant impact upon Rogle BK during his season on loan from the Red Wings to the SHL, and Seider spoke with Hockeysverige.se’s Samuel Josefson regarding his adventure thus far. What follows is roughly translated from Swedish:
“Everyone is happy that I’m in Sweden and the SHL”
He is one of German hockey’s great future prospects. Moritz Seider is currently successful in the SHL with Rogle–where he is on loan from Detroit this season.
“I like it so far,” says Seider to Hockeysverige.se.
Only 19 years old, he’s charmed the Swedish audience in the SHL with a mature defensive game. The love of hockey was already aroused in kindergarten by Moritz Seider. In his hometown of Zell, Germany, he quickly made friends with similar interests.
Ice hockey, which is far from the biggest sport in soccer-mad Germany, became a big part of Moritz Seider’s upbringing.
“In kindergarten we played once a week and I fell for it right away. I loved playing ice hockey. I also played soccer when I was younger, but it could not be compared to playing ice hockey. My upbringing was very good and fun. It was a lot of hockey all the time and I had many friends that I used to play with,” Moritz Seider tells Hockeysverige.se.
The one role model for Seider as a child in hockey was the great defenseman and legend Scott Niedermayer. Seider chose the same position and got his breakthrough with the Adler Mannheim, where he got to participate in and win the German championship title in 2019.
“It was an unreal feeling when we won. It was really special because it was decided in overtime. It really was a good time. I had to work hard to get a spot on the team. Mannheim is a big team, fantastic fans and a very good team,” he says.
“A BIG SURPRISE”
The success of Adler Mannheim led many NHL teams to open their eyes to the draft. And on June 21, 2019, Moritz Seider’s life changed when he was selected sixth overall by the Detroit Red Wings.
“It was a big surprise when I heard my name. I sat there with my family waiting to be selected. A very different day. But it was an unreal event for me and my family. My whole body was shaking, I was very surprised. Detroit is a very large organization.”
Shortly before the draft, Moritz Seider also made his debut for the German national team. He describes it as a great honor to wear the national team jersey and thinks that German hockey has a bright future.
“It was unreal to represent the national team. I want to do it again. German hockey looks good right now. Many young players get the chance to play in the top league. I think there is a big difference now. If we continue to work in that manner, we can achieve success in the future.”
AIMING FOR THE NHL NEXT SEASON
The 19-year-old spent the entirety of last year with Detroit’s farm team in Grand Rapids of the AHL. There, he posted 22 points in 49 games before the coronavirus stopped the season.;
Now he is on loan to the SHL and Rogle, where he has impressed the Swedish audience on their TV couches.
“I am very happy so far. It was challenging in the beginning but it has come around. The collaboration between me and [defensive partner] Eric Gelinas has worked well. We have played very well together. I think it’s a great opportunity to play here. Everyone can skate well in this league. Angelholm is a very nice city and it’s thriving. I think we have a good opportunity in a future playoff [run] as a team.”
The delayed NHL season started recently. Detroit, who many expect to miss the playoffs this year, has started with two wins and two losses. Seider has followed the team with great interest, and he sees improvement from last year’s failed season.
“I’ve seen a little. It feels like the team is much more stable thus far. The team is on the right track to be able to get to the top again.”
How do you see your chances of earning a spot next season?
“Everyone is happy that I am here now in Sweden and the SHL. We have very good talk and constant contact. It’s a big challenge to join the [NHL] team, but if it’s just for me to work harder, I’ll be ready to become an NHL player.”
