Victor Eklund, a Swedish hockey player, has experienced significant milestones over the past year. He won a gold medal with Team Sweden at the World Junior Championship and was selected 16th overall by the New York Islanders in last summer’s NHL Draft.
“It was just a crazy feeling,” Eklund said about winning gold at the World Juniors. “Can’t describe in words. One of the best feelings I’ve ever had. I mean, winning the championship for your country is one of the proudest moments of my life. To do that with your boys, it’s a crazy feeling, and still can’t put it into words on it today. I still feel so satisfied about it.”
During the tournament, Eklund contributed eight points (two goals and six assists) in seven games as Sweden went undefeated to secure its first gold medal in 14 years. Serving as an alternate captain, he scored a goal and added an assist in the final against Czechia.
“Our team had a really good connection, it was so fun to win it all,” Eklund said. “We had good karma this year. Just being a leader out there and trying to have as much fun as I can.”
Eklund currently plays for Djurgardens IF in the Swedish Hockey League (SHL), following his team’s promotion from HockeyAllsvenskan last season. Djurgardens holds a record of 15-19-4-3 this season and ranks ninth in their first year back in Sweden’s top league.
“I think it’s going pretty well, our team is doing fine,” Eklund said regarding his SHL experience. “It’s such a defensive league, so trying to get on the inside of the opponents is pretty hard. We’re trying to move up in the in the team every day, working hard. I just have a lot of fun.”
After spending two seasons with Djurgardens IF in HockeyAllsvenskan—where he collected 35 points across 57 games—Eklund has adjusted to playing at Sweden’s highest level.
“In the beginning it was pretty hard,” he explained about moving up to SHL competition. “I came from second division, from Sweden, and moved up to SHL, which was a big, big jump. Now just starting to figure out, the things [that] are good, what you can do and what you can’t do. In the beginning, I was doing the same thing [as the second division], as last year, and it just didn’t work. Now, I’m starting to get a grip of what’s doable and what’s not. I think I progress every year and every day, as I figure it out.”
At age 19, Eklund has tallied 15 points (two goals and thirteen assists) through 33 games this season—eighth on his team for scoring and sixth for assists—and plays alongside veterans like Joe Snively and Charles Hudon.
“We have a few guys who played in the show as well,” Eklund said about learning from former NHL players on his team. “They help us with what we should do. They give us tips and they’re super nice, helping us get in the league and stay in the league and make sure we stay there for a long time.”
Eric Cairns—the Islanders’ Director of Player Development—visited Sweden earlier this season to observe Eklund’s progress firsthand.
“They look for my ice time and look how I do in the games; they’re always texting me,” Eklund noted about communication with Islanders staff members monitoring his development overseas.“They’re very nice.I can’t wait to play with Islanders next year.”
Eklund follows both Islanders highlights online each morning due to time zone differences between North America and Europe,and also keeps track of his brother William’s performances.“I always wake upand watch [William’s] highlights,same thingwiththeIslanders.Theleagueissofuntowatch.”
Reflecting on being drafted by New York,Eklundsays,“Itwasanamazingmoment.Ihadsomuchfun.AndIwasverylucky.It’sagreatorganization.Ican’twaittoplaythereoneday.Gettingdraftedwasahugemomentformeandmyfamily,forsure.”
