Via Red Wings Prospects on Twitter, the Red Wings signed forward Wilmer Skoog to a 1-year contract to add depth to the organization’s forward corps, but the 6’2,” 198-pound forward told Hockeysverige.se’s Ronnie Ronnqvist that he’s excited about joining the Wings’ organization.
What follows is roughly translated:
Swedish forward Wilmer Skoog initially received information that he would remain in Florida. Instead, the Swede ended up on the free agent marketplace, and signed with Detroit.
“I had been informed that I could expect to be offered a contract,” he told hockeysverige.se after Florida’s sudden swing.
At the end of the last season Wilmer Skoog made his NHL debut with Florida. But for the upcoming season, it will be a different team for the Tyresö/Hanviken-educated forward. He signed with the Detroit Red Wings.
The Florida Panthers released my rights, so we looked around a bit. Then Detroit felt like a good opportunity and a new challenge, so it will be a lot of fun to get there,” says the 26-year-old when hockeysverige.se meets him after a practice at Stora Mossen.
Was it disappointing when Florida released your rights?
“There was no disappointment, but I was a little surprised. I then saw most opportunities were to be able to talk to other teams, and see where there was interest.”
Wilmer Skoog chose the Detroit Red Wings.
There was also interest from other teams.
“We talked about a few different options, but Detroit felt good and I’m looking forward to it.”
Detroit was last in the playoffs in 2016 but going to a team that’s had it tough in the last ten years is nothing Wilmer Skoog sees as negative.
“There are new challenges, and I hope to be a part of them, and help to hopefully get to the playoffs. It’s a process all the time, even for all players. I think it’s more about where I see opportunities for myself. A little bit about what they say and what I think and think about it. I think it feels like a good ‘fit.'”
Nicklas Lidström, Henrik Zetterberg, Lucas Raymond, Niklas Kronwall, Tomas Holmström – and now Wilmer Skoog.
“(Laughter) It’s so much fun. Everyone knows that there have been a lot of Swedes there, and there are still Swedes there. I’m looking forward to becoming a part of it and getting to know the lads in Detroit’s organization.”
Walks in the footsteps of Swedes
Given all the Swedes who played there – did Detroit mean anything special to you growing up?
“I’ve always looked up to Lidas and all of them. I personally never had a favorite team in the NHL, but I know some of my buddies have Detroit as a favorite team and walked around with caps and shirts from there. They’re happy now. I sent them a message when everything was done and just got happy faces in response.”
Has anyone from the team contacted you?
“No, but it happened last night (read: the day before yesterday). Now I’ve been on ice today and haven’t checked the phone, either…”
Wilmer Skoog looks a little fast in the mobile.
“No, no one yet.”
What expectations do you have about your time in Detroit?
“Keep going , having fun, hopefully get to play more NHL games and do well. It was a lot of fun at the end of last season with Florida.”
His debut in the NHL: “A hectic 24 Hours”
Are you expecting to start the season with the Grand Rapids farm team?
“I expect to do my best to make the NHL team. How it goes is nothing I think about. It’s about my performance. Then I’ll see what happens.”
When do you leave [for the U.S.]?
“I don’t know, but I’d guess around September 5th-10th.
Wilmer Skoog moved to the United States back in 2018, but it would take until mid-April 2026 before his debut in the NHL.
“It was great fun, and a busy 24 hours with everything we had to do. I had no idea what to expect. Emma and I flew together to Toronto on April 11th. Then there was a game there in the evening. We arrived in Toronto around half past two. Then it was just to rest a little to go in and drive in the evening. It was great fun and I think it went well.”
How did you feel in your stomach when you stepped onto the ice?
“There were some butterflies,” Wilmer Skoog laughs. “The second game was at home against the Rangers. Also fun, and it was my first home game in Florida. We won all three games I played, so it was fun to win some games there.”
“In addition, there were many players from the Charlotte [Checkers] who played in those games. It was fun to do it with them on the ice. A lot of people scored their first points and someone scored their first goal.”
‘Because I was surprised’
You were praised for your performances in your games, but you previously said you were surprised when Florida dropped your rights. What expectations did you have for the upcoming season?
“I didn’t think that Florida wouldn’t have said anything special to me, so I talked to my agent more. I had been informed that I could expect to be offered a contract. That’s really why I was surprised, because that’s what I’d heard.”
Did you find that interest around you has increased after you have played in your three NHL games?
“Maybe a little, but nothing fancy.”
Will you miss the heat in Florida?
“Florida, just like Charlotte, [North Carolina] has good weather. Of course I will miss it. I was happy in Charlotte. It was a good city and good guys, and we’re going to miss it. But now I’m looking forward to something new,” Wilmer Skoog concludes.
