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Montreal Impact getting value out of Holmberg First Article
#1

Joining the league mid-way through the season may not have been the ideal situation for Mattias Holmberg, but he is taking this chance to prove that he can play solid hockey at the level of the SMJHL. The Two-Way Defenseman looked strong in his first two games as a member of the Montreal Impact, blocking one shot and assisting on a goal by Adam Falk(His 12th goal of the campaign) in his second game.

Before traveling to North America, Holmberg spent time skating with the junior team for the Swedish Hockey League's Färjestad BK. Holmberg was one of the Top 4 Defensemen for the club's prospect pool, but chose to test the waters of the North American hockey leagues. Holmberg was able to secure a try-out contract with the Toledo Walleye. Due to the lack of experience with North American sized rinks Holmberg was not able to make the cut. He then set his sights for the SMJHL in hopes to better himself and prepare himself for the SHL. We were able to get an interview with Holmberg after his game against the Prince George Firebirds.
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Holmberg during a Färjestad BK practice.

Interview How does it feel to record the first point of your career?
It felt good. I'm happy that I got my first assist really early. I'm happy that I'm able to contribute to the team early. My next step is getting past the goal hump.

Interview Should we expect to see more points from you as the season moves forward?
Yes. No real way to sound humble with that question. I'm just going to look for my teammates and if they are open then I'll feed them the puck.

Interview Were you nervous before the first game?
Of course. It was the first major step into reaching the SHL. I'm sure everyone is nervous before their first game. I believe that feeling keeps you on your toes during your first few shifts. It is almost like a pseudo-pressure being placed on you. No one wants to look like a fool the first game they are in. The first shift I just had in the back of my mind "Just keep skating, don't slack, that girl in the third row behind our bench is pretty cute, don't fall, don't fan on the puck."

Interview How is your leg after blocking that shot from Matt Veenstra in the first period?
It hurts a bit, but I'm sure I'll live if I put some ice on it. You can never really learn to block a shot with it not hurting. You just have to skate through it

Interview Are you concerned that arriving in Montreal during the mid-season will limit your ability to contribute this season?
No, I am not concerned about arriving mid-season will hurt my ability to contribute this season. I may not be able to put as many points up as a player who has been playing since the start of the season, but I still can contribute. I'm here to help the team and I'm going to leave it all on the ice every game until we are partying with the Four Star Cup.

Interview What helped you make your choice to play with Montreal?
I actually thought the contract was to play for their soccer team. When I found out that they wanted me for their hockey team I just asked if they could include season tickets for the soccer team in my contract. All jokes aside, the Co-GM was super friendly and one of the first people to contact me about play. I felt that I could earn my ice time with the team.

Interview We heard you were also contacted by Halifax. How did they try and recruit you?
They worked really hard to sign me. I was contacted by their GM, Co-GM, and Captain of the team. They were friendly and made it clear that signing me could bring them to a championship. The only problem was they had to release two players if they wanted to sign me and I just didn't feel right to play for a team knowing they had to lose two players to accommodate me. I'm still very thankful and honoured that they wanted me to play for their team.

Interview Is it true that you were offered $2 Million by Montreal Impact, but turned it down because you thought it was too much?
Yes. I didn't feel I should be making $2 Million in my rookie season so I asked if they could lower the amount of the contract. I want to let my ability determine my contract.

Interview Any goals you have set for yourself this season?
Score my first goal, improve my endurance, make the second line D pairing, and just have a good time. I don't want to set so many goals that I lose focus of why I'm playing this sport.

Interview Do you expect to go early in SHL draft?
To me, it doesn't matter when I'm drafted. Being drafted in the 1st round or the 5th round makes no difference to me. I still have to work and play hard to make it to the SHL. Right now I just want to focus on my play and helping my team.

Interview Was it tough to adjust to the American rinks compared to the European rinks?
Yeah it was tough. I never knew how small the rinks were until I arrived to the US. The try-out contract with Toledo really helped me realize I needed to hit some of the local rinks and work on my awareness on the ice. To me it seems there is a lot less room for error now that I'm skating on a smaller ice surface.

Interview Who's your favorite player not in the NHL or SHL?
I'd have to say Tomas Nosek from the Grand Rapids Griffins of the AHL. He is a solid center who handles the puck well. The announcers for the team compare him to Jaromir Jagr. Second favorite player is Francis Pare. Used to play for the Griffins, but is now playing for one of the KHL teams. He is a pesky player.

Interview Any favorite quotes or saying that you want to share?
My favorite saying is from an old Irish proverb. "It is often the man's mouth that broke his nose."

Interview Well thanks for the interview. I heard tomorrow you will have a presser and it will be an open floor concept.
Yeah tomorrow I will have a presser. Hopefully there are some good questions.

Ask some questions and I'll try to answer them

The next day in the Montreal Impact conference room.
The smell of coffee overwhelms the room. The room is filled with chairs and at one side there is a podium with the Impact logo polka-dotting the wall behind. Mattias Holmberg steps up to the podium.

Interview How much time do you think it will take for you to catch up to your peers in the draft class?
As much time as I need. I want to develop at my own rate. I don't expect to be on the first line defensive pairing of a SHL team by next season. It is an uphill battle, and catching up to the top picks of this years draft.

Interview What's your opinion of the current crop of Swedish players in the SMJHL and SHL? Is there anyone in particular you look up to?
I think there are a bunch of Super Swedes playing currently. I also think there are still a couple of Super Swedes who haven't discovered their true Super-ness. I look up to Nick Lidstrom and Erik Karlsson. They are both solid defensemen and everyday I work to become my own version of them.

Interview How's it like in Montreal?
It is great. The people are friendly and the team is great. I don't enjoy the Montreal Candiens though. Carey Price is cool though.

Interview Who stands out the most in the Locker Room?
I think that the GM, Co-GM, and Jordan Mack stand out the most in the locker room. Everyone is helpful, but they have helped me the most.

Interview Excited to be on the Impact?
Of course I'm exiceted! To play for a succeusful soc.. Hockey team is always benifical to a players development. It is truly an honour to be apart of the team.

Interview Future goals?
Get my first goal and contiune to play good hockey. Oh and maybe buy one of those vibrating chairs. Yeah, that would be cool.

Interview What are your goals for the rest of the season?
Play hard and continue to develop myself. And of course help my team win the Four Star Cup.

Interview What is your pump up song?
My pump up song has to be either Blackened by Metallica or 2 Minutes to Midnight by Iron Maiden.

Interview Who is your favorite power ranger?
Uhhh... the Green Power ranger?

Interview Is Rita Repulsa or Lord Zedd worse?
I never watched the TV show. With that said I do have a Power Rangers blanket.

Interview If you were a power ranger what would animal would your Zord be?
The walrus.
Word Count= ~1481

Sven Holmberg

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#2

Great article!

How much time do you think it will take for you to catch up to your peers in the draft class?
Reply
#3

Nice read bro, good to see another swede joining the league at the same time! Sweden
On that subject..
What's your opinion of the current crop of Swedish players in the SMJHL and SHL? Is there anyone in particular you look up to?

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Reply
#4

How's it like in Montreal?

Who stands out the most in the Locker Room?

Excited to be on the Impact?

Future goals?
Reply
#5

Updated

Sven Holmberg

[Image: hexx55.gif]

[Image: mitochondriafigure1.jpg]
Player Page | Update Page





Reply
#6

What are your goals for the rest of the season?
What is your pump up song?

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#7

This guy is going to be a big part of this organization.

Now onto questions.

Who is your favorite power ranger?

Is Rita Repulsa or Lord Zedd worse?

If you were a power ranger what would animal would your Zord be?
Reply
#8

Updated

Sven Holmberg

[Image: hexx55.gif]

[Image: mitochondriafigure1.jpg]
Player Page | Update Page





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