DetroitRedWings.com’s Jonathan Mills discusses Jonatan Berggren’s desire to be a little more “selfish” in a good way this upcoming season:
“Last year, I was trying to pass more than shoot,” Berggren said Monday. “This summer, I worked on my shot. I feel like this season, I want to be more of a threat. Maybe a little bit selfish in some areas and shoot more.”
Berggren started last season with the American Hockey League’s Grand Rapids Griffins before making his NHL debut on Nov. 10. The 5-foot-11, 197-pound forward became a regular in the Detroit Red Wings’ lineup, recording 15 goals and 13 assists in 67 games.
“He was a great addition for us at times last year,” Red Wings head coach Derek Lalonde said about Berggren on Sept. 21. “We didn’t have a lot of what he was. He was making plays. We went through some of those games where we were looking for some offense. He was one of the guys who could create some offense.”
Berggren said he learned a lot about himself during his debut season in Detroit and understands what he must improve on to continue his development.
“It felt like I had a great start,” Berggren said. “Then after a while, I felt a little dip in the middle of the season. But overall, I had an okay season. I created more chances than I scored. If I have a little bit more edge on it, I can be a real offensive player in this league.”
Continued; I remember when the Red Wings drafted Berggren. He was 5’9,” 150 pounds, and couldn’t kill a fly. He stands at 5’11” and 197 pounds now, and the little guy who is not so little any more seems driven as heck to self-improve.
Self-improvers are the type of players who succeed at the pro level, be it in the NHL or elsewhere. You always have to try to get better if you want to continue to earn your job.
