Red Wings prospect and Frolunda HC defenseman Simon Edvinsson makes two appearances in the Swedish press today:
- Ahead of Frolunda’s Champions Hockey League playoff game vs. Rogle BK, Edvinsson spoke with SVT.se for a 2-minute Swedish language interview that isn’t geo-blocked;
- And Edvinsson spoke about the cancellation of the World Junior Championship with GT.se’s Stefan Nilsson. Here’s a rough translation of that article:
The Super Talent about the WJC: “It came as a shock”
Simon Edvinsson managed to show some of the qualities that make expectations high when the time eventually comes when he goes over the Atlantic to start playing for the NHL’s Detroit Red Wings.
In the first game, against Russia, Edvinsson both scored a goal and played dominantly.
“It was fun to play and we wanted to continue with that. But now it turned out the way it did, and there’s nothing I can do about that,” he says.
Tough on the plane home
After their 6-3 win over Russia, and then a 3-0 win over Slovakia, the coronavirus infection caused the organizers to cancel the tournament before it was time to play Switzerland.
How long has it taken to get over your disappointment?
“It came as a shock. You could guess that some of the games would be postponed, but not that the entire tournament would be cancelled. On the plane ride home, it was tough. But last Sunday I stopped thinking that way, now it’s just working here instead,” says Simon Edvinsson.
Immediately after the news that the entire WJC was cancelled, there was talk that it could be played later this year.
“It’s obvious that it would be fun to play in it. But it must be after the [SHL] regular season [and playoffs] in that case, because in the spring there is no time,” he says.
“It’s extremely boring”
Edvinsson, who turns 19 this month, has one more chance to play in the WJC. But for those on the team born in 2002, like teammate Theodor Niederbach, this year’s tournament was their last chance to play.
“It’s obvious that it’s very boring. I talked to ‘Theo’ about it. He thought it was very sad that they shut down. The 02’s have had a very tough time with tournaments that have disappeared due to the coronavirus. It’s extremely sad,” says Simon Edvinsson.
The Junior Crowns had just started to get used to playing on North American [ice], where Frolunda’s super talent is expected to have a successful career with Detroit.
Despite the truncated tournament, was there anything you could take home with you to Frolunda for games in the CHL and SHL?
“We played on a small rink. It will be differently difficult and you have to think faster. On a big rink, it’s a different game. It was good to be able to test what it’s like when the rink is smaller,” he says.
“Good pace and good games”
Did Detroit’s representatives come and visit?
“No, we weren’t allowed to meet anyone outside our bubble,” he replies.
Since Simon Edvinsson came home from Canada, the coronavirus has once again begun to cause problems in the SHL as well. On Monday, the news came that Frolunda’s away game against Malmo on the 13th must be played some time later.
Is it hard for games to be cancelled here as well?
“I haven’t thought about it. There’s a game against Rogle [today in the Champions Hockey League] first, that’s the one I focus on,” the big defenseman answers.
Edvinsson and Niederbach have thus played in two games with the Junior Crowns since December 14th. Their teammates haven’t played in a game for 3 weeks.
Do you guys look rusty?
“We will see when the game vs. Rogle starts. But it doesn’t feel that way in practice in any case. It’s been a good pace and good scrimmages. Against Rogle, it’s a playoff game, and then it’s a matter of winning it,” he answers.
Back with Christian Folin
Simon Edvinsson takes back his place next to Christian Folin on the first defensive pair.
Mattias Norliner, who disappeared to Montreal after the SHL premiere last autumn, has returned and will play with Jens Olsson. On the power play, where Olsson has been successful, Norlinder takes the back set in the first power play lineup.
Third defensive pair includes Filip Johansson and new defenseman Andreas Borgman.
“I’ve talked a lot with him in the two days since I came back. He’s a nice guy who’s great at hockey,” says Simon Edvinsson.
