Red Wings prospect and IF Bjorkloven forward Liam Dower Nilsson spoke with hockeysverige.se’s Simon Eld about his decision to hop down to the Allsvenskan to earn more playing time this season as he aims to earn an entry-level contract with the Detroit Red Wings. What follows is roughly translated from Swedish:
Liam Dower Nilsson on his successful start with Bjorkloven: “I can play even better”
Liam Dower Nilsson’s move from Frolunda to Bjorkloven has begun with great success.
Six games and six goals mean that the 20-year-old leads the Hockey Allsvenskan’s scoring league, but he’s not completely satisfied.
“I feel I can play even better”; success on power play: “That’s why we find each other so well”; the key to success: “I have a lot to thank them for”
One, two, three, four, five, six. Pucks have been hit at a steady pace from Liam Dower Nilsson’s stick in the season opener.
The 20-year-old, who chose to break his contract with Frolunda in order to step down in the league system, has been quite successful, and now he leads the Hockey Allsvenksan’s goal-scoring. Nevertheless, he’s not completely satisfied with either his or Bjorkloven’s game.
“It’s been fun, but it’s early in the season, so it’s important to not be satisfied. It’s just a matter of continuing to strive for new goals. Now it’s only been power play goals so far, so I need to get some out there in five-on-five as well, but yes, it’s fun, of course,” says the 20-year-old when hockeysverige.se reaches him ahead of the away game against Tingsryd on Wednesday.
Previously, the Detroit-drafted forward told hockeysverige.se about his break-up with Frolunda, and how he wanted to stay in Sweden to become a leading player. Something he’s already well on his way toward–after six games and seven points.
“I thought it would take some time, but at the same time, I know what I’m capable of, and the preseason felt good. I’m very grateful for the role I was given once I came here. I really got the chance from the beginning, and I would say that I took it,” says Liam Dower Nilsson, who continues:
“With the help of very skilled linemates, and even now those on the power play. I knew I had it in me. It’s nice that it starts this way, that I have some fluency from the beginning, you need that, too. But yes, I have known that I have the capacity to do it from the start.
Success on the power play: “That’s why we find each other so well”
So far, all six of the forward’s goals have come in game form. On the power play, with some of the stars of the league, and he’s slammed the puck into the net at break-neck speed. How come?
“I don’t know. The last three goals are open nets. It’s Nick Schilkey and Alexander Wiklund who made those passes, we have great chemistry [on the power play]. All four I play with on the power play are very skilled, and make good passes and good plays. In the last few games, we’ve clicked really well, and the game has been sitting well. It’s just been about trying to shoot hard and hit targets simply.
What is it like to play with them?
“It’s crazily fun. To get the chance to play with Schilkey, Nicolai Meyer and Myles Powell from the start of the season, I will take advantage of that–and I think I have. We have found good chemistry, and they’re extremely skilled, so it’s fun.”
Are you enjoying practicing?
“We’ve practiced together, but I think it’s easier to find each other if you see the game the same way. That’s what we’ve found. Then of course we talk to each other a bit about what we can do, and what becomes open if you do this, or that, but I would say that we see the game the same way, and that’s why we’ve been able to find each other so well.”
Nevertheless , Liam Dower Nilsson believes that he’s not completely satisfied. Especially with his five-on-five game, there is more to pick up, according to the 20-year-old.
“I think we create and get to many good situations, but then the sharpness or flow hasn’t really come yet. A little sharper and to create even more chances to put some five-on-five points in, that’s what I’m referring to.”
When will the first goal come for you in five-on-five?
“We can hope now for Wednesday against Tingsryd. I think that sounds good.
Pays tribute to his teammates: “That has been the key”
The young forward from Boras HC as his parent club has made his way through Frolunda’s junior ranks, all the way to playing in the SHL, but he didn’t quite get it to click there last year. He was loaned to Vasteras and it sparked the fire we see today, but Dower Nilsson himself believes that the leading players on his new team are also a big reason for his lift.
“If you compare with Frolunda, it’s a step down in the Hockey Allsvenskan. That means you have a little more time, and it doesn’t go as quickly. Then Bjorkloven is one of the better teams, and our goal is to move up to the SHL, which means that we have a very good team on paper, and many skilled players,” he says, and continues:
“So it feels like we are a tighter group than it was last year in Vasteras. I think that Daniel Rahimi and ‘Freddan’ and the other leading players care and that we youngsters join the team, and that everyone who plays in Bjorkloven knows what we stand for, and our behavior on and off the ice. I think that has been teh key to the fact that we’ve gotten along well on the team, and that I feel welcome as well. I have a lot to thank Daniel Rahimi for, and ‘Freddan’ and Wikkan’ for that, absolutely.”
Will you be able to keep this up?
“Yes! I will try to do that, without jinxing anything. We get to try new stuff, and soon maybe someone else will be free. We will try to keep it up and do even better in five-on-five, that’s what we’re aiming for.”
Meanwhile, the drafted talent is in continuous contact with both Niklas Kronwall and Detroit’s Daniel Cleary, to talk about his development and what he needs to improve.
“We have dialogue all the time, and talk a few times a week. They think it looks good. I’ve been a bit more ‘fit’ before, so it’s fun to sprinkle some in, and show that side, too. Since then I have become a little more explosive, and stronger.”
“That’s what we’ve been talking about over the years, getting stronger, but above all, more explosive, and being able to get away from opponents, accelerate with the puck at a higher pace. The brain can handle it, but it’s just a matter of getting the legs going, so they go, too, and I can do more at a higher speed. That’s the next step I have to take,” concludes Liam Dower Nilsson.
