Despite his young age, Joel Nyström is already in his fifth season in the A-team – which with great probability will be the last one before the adventure awaits on the other side of the Atlantic.
There, the defensive talent has signed a contract with Carolina Hurricanes and is starting to feel increasingly ready to try to break into the NHL.
It has long been a big dream for me to get to try playing there. But at the same time, it's important for me not to go over too early. Once I'm there, I want to give it a real chance, says the 22-year-old.
He got his big breakthrough during his parent club's gold year in 2022 – and has since then had a continued development that points straight upwards.
"Feels very good"
In terms of points, Ekström responded with his best season last year with 8 goals and 18 assists – and this fall, he averages almost a point per game. Two full hits against Linköping on Thursday mean two goals and two assists after six rounds.
It feels very good both for myself and for the team. We've been stable in defense, while we've really gotten the production going in the offense, he says.
Färjestad is the only undefeated team so far and tops the SHL with 16 points out of 18 possible – and has scored 27 goals in six rounds. An average of 4.5 goals per game.
We have a very strong squad and it's clear that I want to experience a new Swedish Championship gold. If you've stood there on the square in Karlstad and been celebrated, yes, then you want to experience it again. It would be a perfect ending, he means.
"Not approved"
Linköping started best in both the first and second periods – but Färjestad was clearly the most effective and got the goals at the right times.
When the visitors made it 4–1 and 5–1 at the beginning of the third period, there was no discussion. Then the Karlstad team played out their register and gave LHC a real lesson.
Letting in six goals at home is not approved in any way. We were far too soft and have a lot to talk about, criticizes Östgötarna's coach Klas Östman.
