As of right now, many of the S44 SHL draft class have few ideas on where they would like to end up. However, one of the rookies has done some research in the hopes of empowering everyone to make the best decisions for their career path.

For Ola Wagstrom, it is never too early to begin dreaming of an SHL career. But beyond just the locker rooms and team styles, it is important to him to find a city where he can put down roots and have a positive experience away from the arena. He set off to learn more about the feel and allure of the various locations of SHL franchises.

"It's important for me to have foreknowledge of the SHL cities, so wherever I land, I don't seem ignorant about the cultural scene to the fans, staff, and community," said Wagstrom. "Considering what I've learned will also help me to develop team preferences."

Wagstrom elected to peruse information about Eastern Conference towns first, as his junior team, the Detroit Falcons, would be classified as an Eastern team.



Buffalo, home to the Stampede, boasts many artistic hotspots, making it never a dull area for entertainment. With over $1 billion having been recently invested into the area through the state's "Buffalo Billion" project, neighborhoods have been spruced up and reinvigorated. In the midst of the burgeoning development, the city also can boast that it is in close proximity to the renowned Niagara Falls.

"One of the landmarks that is at the top of my bucket list is Niagara Falls. I've heard a lot of people say that I need to see the Canadian side, but honestly, I'd like to see both," said Wagstrom. "Either way, being right there would be pretty cool and make for some good Instagram photos."



Heading across the border, Wagstrom was surprised to learn from census data that Hamilton was the 9th most populous city in Canada, boasting more residents than Halifax and Windsor. It also, like Buffalo, is close to nature. The Canadian municipality is privy to waterfalls, such as Cliffview Falls, and gorgeous parks. The city is proud of its heritage, hosting multiple historic sites and museums alongside the Steelhawks.

"I lived in Canada for most of my teen years, and the country is all-around beautiful. Whenever I hear that a city has waterfalls, I'm instantly interested. I have yet to visit Hamilton, but I'm definitely curious!" said Wagstrom.



If one is looking for the bustle of city life and an abundance of internationally-recognized attractions, the Manhattan Rage would be the correct destination. Manhattan is New York City's most densely populated borough, and as the host of the United Nations Headquarters, it has much cultural and diplomatic significance. The Empire State Building was the world's largest building for nearly 40 years, until the completion of the World Trade Center in 1973. Other iconic structures can be seen reaching up to the stars; Lady Liberty rests in the Manhattan skyline, as does the 90-year-old Chrysler Building. For anyone who enjoys the theatre, Broadway shows can provide an entertaining evening. And, of course, one cannot forget the shops and the splendor of the New Year's Eve ball drop celebration in Times Square.

"There's so much to talk about with Manhattan that I don't know where to start. A lot of crazy cool places to visit, so if I was there, I would definitely spend a lot of time sight-seeing," said Wagstrom. "Another thing is, I'm a fan of the arts, so I always wanted to see a live Broadway show. Maybe I could even see Hamilton!"



Viewing an introduction to the state of Minnesota, Wagstrom read that it was known for "its high standard of living and its high rate of civic participation and voter turnout." With many forests being cleared out, this location would provide prime access to the North Woods, a biome that can be difficult to find in the modern age. The Twin Cities, Minneapolis and Saint Paul, are the hub of commerce and city life; among centers of interest are the Mall of America, which is the largest mall in the United States. Its sprawling expanse often draws shoppers and tourists to its premises.

"A high standard of living is a pretty darn good thing to be known for. It sounds like the people there are great, like they care about their society, and also like their society cares for them! I'm not much into shopping, but I hear the Mall of America has a freaking theme park inside. I would definitely swing by to see the Nickelodeon Universe and the aquarium there too!" said Wagstrom.



New England is a pretty massive region of the U.S., but if the Wolfpack refers to the same location as the New England Patriots, it would be in Massachusetts. The state is known for solid sports teams, so that would likely bode well for the hockey club. Gillette Stadium would be an attraction for fans of American football, and of course, Fenway Park in Boston is home to baseball's long-standing Boston Bruins. The city of Boston is home to copious museums and serene parks, such as the Boston Public Garden and the Boston Common. Another outdoorsy opportunity would be the Freedom Trail, which leads trekkers to 16 historic sites, including the Bunker Hill Monument, the USS Constitution (the world's oldest commissioned naval vessel), and the Paul Revere House.

"Hiking is something that I enjoy, so walking the Freedom Trail would be very interesting. I'm not American, but I can appreciate how deeply Boston is woven into U.S. history and the independence movement," said Wagstrom. "Living there might make me get into other sports too; I've never seen a baseball or football game. If I go to Fenway, I would want to sit in left field on top of the Green Monster."



Delving into the North Stars, as someone who had previously lived in Canada, it would be difficult to Wagstrom not to know the appeal of Toronto. It is the most populous city in Canada, and approximately 1/6 of Canadians live in the Greater Toronto Area. It has much diversity, as almost half of its residents, like the Swedish native, hail from a foreign country. Some of its landmarks include the CN Tower and the storied Hockey Hall of Fame.

"The Hockey Hall of Fame is really special for anyone playing the sport. To see the history of it and the generations of greats and pioneers who came before us and paved the way; it's an experience I think every hockey player needs to have. It reminds you why we love the game, why the game is more than just a game," said Wagstrom. "The dream would be for me to see my name in there one day, with all of my childhood heroes."



The last team slated for the Eastern Conference survey was the West Kendall Platoon. The region has a much smaller populace than the aforementioned teams, with most estimates placing the Kendall area at around 75,000 residents. It is a suburb of the metropolitan Miami, and features the massive Dadeland Mall, as well as pristine golf courses. The Miami-Dade beaches would be tantalizingly close, giving ample time to swim and tan.

"My agent is a Florida native, and she complains nonstop about Florida rain and stupid driving. I don't know what she's on about; I think it'd be great to kick back on the beach and enjoy the sun!" said Wagstrom. "A lot of the other hockey players enjoy the game of golf, so maybe I should try to learn. It would be nice to have a way to relax athletically, especially over the summer."

Part 2 will be released at a later date and will feature the Western Conference teams.

Word Count: 1339 Words

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Interesting concept! well done

9gag pretty lit tho