2025- former players and others

[pdt1081]

Ralfs Freibergs will be playing for Latvia in the Olympics this year.

[jpfalcon09]

Ralfs Freibergs will be playing for Latvia in the Olympics this year.

Glad he'll get a cup of coffee in Milan. Just beware the rink.

[TalonsUpPuckDown]

Brandon Kruse signed with the Walleye a week or so ago.

[pdt1081]

A bit of an odd update. The XRHL, eXtreme Roller Hockey League, will start competing this summer at Huntington Center. Iain Duncan will be coaching one of the 4 teams. Brandon Hawkins and Tyler Spezia are both expected to play.

https://www.toledoblade.com/sports/pro/ ... 260225122/

https://www.xrhl.net/

[TalonsUpPuckDown]

How many of these hits are 5 and a game in today's world?

Sorry to you anti-facebook folks.

https://www.facebook.com/share/v/17vMbFhkoy/

[TalonsUpPuckDown]

Sal Evola makes the list of Feb save leaders along with Moore.

[pdt1081]

With a goal and 3 assists tonight, Brandon Kruse hit 100 career points with the Walleye.

[TalonsUpPuckDown]

It begins. Jackson Niedermayer to Tulsa.

[pdt1081]

Red Wings organization absolutely decimated at forward right now results in Brandon Hawkins signing a PTO with the Grand Rapids Griffins in the AHL.

[pdt1081]

Goose to the Avalanche on a 2 year deal. Joining their AHL affiliate for this season.
https://www.nhl.com/avalanche/news/aval ... stjernberg

[TalonsUpPuckDown]

Goose to the Avalanche on a 2 year deal. Joining their AHL affiliate for this season.
https://www.nhl.com/avalanche/news/aval ... stjernberg

Hate seeing him leave, but jacked that he signed with the Avs.

[BGhockeyfan94]

Felt like that was coming. I wouldn’t want to stay in a league where I couldn’t hit anyone.

[pdt1081]

Article from Sweden where they actually interviewed Stjernberg about signing.

https://x.com/mattiaasp7/status/2032512 ... 19997?s=20

https://www.expressen.se/sport/hockey/n ... mas-swish/

[TalonsUpPuckDown]

Article from Sweden where they actually interviewed Stjernberg about signing.

https://x.com/mattiaasp7/status/2032512 ... 19997?s=20

https://www.expressen.se/sport/hockey/n ... mas-swish/

For those of you, like me, who don't read Swedish:

There are stories – and then there are stories. Gustav Stjernberg's is one of them.

The 22-year-old from Stockholm was close to being cut from Örebro's junior organization and has not played a single international match. Four years later, the physical defenseman stands with a newly signed NHL contract with the Colorado Avalanche in his hand.

– It's definitely a dream come true. It's something you've dreamed of since you were a little kid and I never really believed it was possible. So it feels so good to prove to everyone who has never believed in you – and to myself – that I've been able to do it. It's a fantastic feeling, he says.

Celebrated with friends – after mom's swish
When the contract with the Colorado Avalanche was finalized on Thursday, there was a wild celebration right away.

– First I called my family and it was very emotional to break the news to them. Then I gathered 15 guys from the team and we went out for dinner and celebrated. It was the best day of my life.

But the celebration required a Swish from home, as the sign-on bonus from Colorado hasn't been paid out yet.

- I had to ask my mom if I could get some money one last time from mom and dad to celebrate. That way I can give back to them when the sign-on bonus rolls in later, he says with a laugh.

However, the road to the NHL has been anything but straight.

Stjernberg went via SDE to Örebro's junior organization - but his future in hockey was unclear for a long time.

- I was the last guy in Örebro to get a contract and they almost didn't want me to stay. Then I finally got a contract and had a very good year in the J20, he says.

After his junior years, he took a different path than many other Swedish players – to North America and college hockey. First playing in the USHL, then Bowling Green State University.

That's where everything came together.

– After my first year in college, I got the confidence I needed. I came in as a freshman and had a really good year and noticed that hockey suited me very well. The second year, teams noticed me.

When did you realize that the interest was real?

– I have had a lot of contact with my agents and with many different NHL teams during the season. The interest from so many clubs made me start to realize that it was real.

"I know that many people have never believed in me"
Stjernberg describes the fact that the contract is now complete as a form of revenge.

- It's almost the best feeling. I know that there have been many people who have never believed in me. I've always felt that I've been a little overlooked. So it feels so good now to have finally proven to everyone that you could do it.

For those who haven't seen you play - what kind of defenseman are you?

- I'm not this sexy player who stands in the power play and dribbles past people and scores a lot of goals. I'm more of a tough, defensive defenseman. Extremely physical and tough to play against.

- I try to make sure that the teams are a little afraid when I'm on the ice and keep their heads up. That's the mentality I'm trying to send out.

What does the plan look like now - are you moving right away?

– It looks like I will leave in the next few days or early next week and play the rest of the season with the Colorado Eagles, their AHL team.

[fanatic13]

Would any of be kind enough to provide a scouting report on him for this avs fan? Outside of Notre Dame I only get to be a score follower