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Henrik · 09-24-2019, 04:36 PM

Interview with Henrik Lekberg Osterman Raptors

Henrik Lekberg Osterman was virtually unknown when he entered the SMJHL last season, being drafted 52nd by the Colorado Raptors. Now he's being touted as one of the top talents of his draft class, being picked up 3rd overall by the San Francisco Pride. Ultimately, only time will tell if Lekberg Osterman will live up to all the hype or if he will be one of the many promising prospects that never manage to crack an SHL roster. Like most rookies, he's had a very busy off-season. Scouting interviews, keeping up with training, representing his country in the IIHF as well as preparing to do it again in the coming week in the WJC and of course, finding time to go back home to Sweden to visit his family. We managed to catch up with Henrik just a few days after the draft for a quick interview.

Morning Henrik, thanks for taking the time to talk to us. Hows the summer treating you so far?

Hey guys, thanks for having me. Yeah it’s been good thanks. Very, very busy as you might imagine. Obviously we weren't too happy about going out in the first round but I think it’s been good for my personal development. I had time to really work on my conditioning, my puck handling as well as my skating the most. I also started working with a new skating coach over the off-season who I really clicked with, a figure skater. I also got to represent my country in the IIHF which has always been a dream of mine. A definite high point of the summer. Other than that I managed to eke out a couple of days of free time to go back home and visit my family and friends which was fantastic. Never realise how much you miss home until you find the time to relax for a moment and unwind.

Last time we spoke you had just been drafted by the Raptors. How do you feel about your rookie performance and the Raptors chances moving forward?

I set myself 6 goals before the season started. If I could manage to fulfill three of those I said I would be satisfied with my season.

My goals were;
1. Score 20 points.
2. Have at least 3 multi-point games.
3. Finish the season with an even or positive +/-.
4. Be voted first star at least once.
5. Play regular minutes on the top 6.
6. Receive under 10 penalty minutes.

Didn’t manage to finish the season with a very flattering +/- and I took a few too many penalties in the first quarter of the season. Most of them we’re undisciplined frustration penalties. Honestly, I just wasn’t good enough to keep up with the talent and I made some mistakes. As I settled in I got more comfortable in the league and with my performance in general. So, to answer your question… Yes, I am happy with it but I definitely have room for improvement. I still have a lot of work to do.

Do you feel that you have you learned anything from your rookie season? Any big takeaways?

Yeah. There are some very talented people in this league. It can be very easy to kinda get lost in it at times but I think as the season progressed I became much more comfortable with myself and the league. I think once I settled in I became much more focused on my own play.

You mentioned that you represented Sweden in the IIHF. You got to play defense in the tournament, describe that experience if you will.

I think everyone dreams of representing their country in an international tournament. It’s such an incredible honour to play with the best of the best. The guys managed to win the gold last year, an amazing underdog feat all things considered so I was really excited to help them defend the title. I was asked if it would be possible for me to play defenseman in the tournament and of course I accepted. I knew it would be a challenge. Not only playing a position I wasn’t completely comfortable with but also playing against some of the best players in the world but I think I did alright. So yeah, I was happy with my performance all things considered. Unfortunately we ended the tournament earlier than we would have wanted but overall the experience was absolutely fantastic. I’m already looking forward to next years tournament. I’m also greatly looking forward to the WJC. I’ll get to play forward and I really think we have a chance to take home a medal.

What were your expectations, if any, going into the draft?

Going into the draft, I wasn’t exactly sure what to think. This draft is so full of talent. So incredibly deep, especially when it comes to left wingers. I figured I would probably go somewhere in the second round. I had spoken to a number of teams and they all seemed interested but like, you just never know what to think. Obviously you want to believe in yourself and your ability but it’s a tough league and you have to temper your expectations. I’d rather be pleasantly surprised than have my expectation crushed.

Coming out of the draft as the third overall pick, what are you thoughts on it now that you’ve had time to let it all sink in?

It feels fantastic. It really is hard to explain. Going third in such a stacked draft is incredibly flattering. As I understand it some of my teammates as well as some of the higher-ups in Colorado put in a great word for me and I’m incredibly grateful for their trust and support. It’s nice to know that the organisation you are a part of really believes in you and supports you. But yeah, the whole thing is kinda surreal.

What are your thoughts on San Francisco and the Pride Organisation?

Honestly, I haven’t really had time to meet most of the guys yet. Obviously I know Kane and Knurtsson and I spoke to them after being drafted. Great guys and I’m happy to have the chance to play with them in the future. Other than that I spoke to a few guys in management and it seems like a great organisation. I’m also excited to play with Veccelli in the future, that guy is a total stud. The city itself seems like a blast. Good weather. Good food. Can’t really complain about that, can you?

What do you think you can improve going forward?

Mostly I want to work on my skating and puck handling. I think that’s where my game can really shine, as a two-way possession player. Like I mentioned earlier there are so many talented guys in this league so if I’m able to create chances then it’s going to pay off. I’ve never felt that I need to score goals to feel productive so I think playing the possession game and improving my passing game can be a winning combination.

And finally, what do you think you have to do to get to the next level and play at the SHL level?

Honestly… Everything. Having played with some of the SHL players in the IIHF it made it clear to me that they are on a whole other level. It’s incredible really. Like, when you get into the SMJHL you realise that there are so many talented players out there. You go from being a big fish in a small pond to a small fish in a big sea. Then, at the IIHF, you kick that up a notch. That’s what my first experience was like playing with the SHL guys. It’s insane. So yeah, I mean I have to work on all facets on my game to play in the big league but give me another season or two and I think I’ll be up for the challenge!

--------------------

PRESSER

Go ahead friends, ask away!

@Zombiewolf : Hi

Hi!

1. When do you expect to be ready for SHL level of play? And what are you expecting out of your rookie season?

I think I'll be ready to be an effective part of an SHL team in two seasons or so. Should give me plenty of time to work on all facets of my game as well as get more ice time on the top lines in the juniors. As I mentioned earlier, having now played with some of the SHL guys in the IIHF, you really notice the difference in play. Its huge. So yeah, I'd say S52 is probably what I'm aiming for. As far as my rookie season goes I'd honestly have to wait and see what the game looks like at that point to have a good answer but I would like to first and foremost be solid defensively. I think being a good hockey players starts with not being a liability on the ice. Production wise I would love to hit at least 20 points in my rookie season. That would be fantastic. Perhaps most importantly, I also want to be a respected and liked voice in the locker room. That is very important to me.

2. What is your ultimate goal as an SHL player in terms of individual achievements and awards?

My grandest goal is to play 1000 games in the SHL. That would really be something. Not many players have managed that so far in the league's history so to be one of them would be a dream of mine. And of course a cup or two wouldn't be all that shabby either. I mean, what hockey player doesn't dream about hoisting the Challenge cup as one of the high waters of their career?

In terms of individual awards there are three trophies that I value above the rest. The Damian Littleton Trophy, the Jeff Dar Trophy and the Sarmad Khan Trophy. If I could win any of those during my career I would be incredibly happy. Obviously I pride myself on my two-way play so being awarded the Dar would be a fantastic celebration of all the hard work you put in the be an effective 2-way player. The Khan trophy is special too. You care a lot about what the other guys think of you both on and off the ice and getting the respect from your fellow players in such a palpable way would be amazing. I strive to be the best that I can so yeah, it would be an absolute honour to win the Khan at some point. Finally, this game has given so much to me and I still haven't even entered the major league yet. I want to be able to give back to the game in a meaningful way and it's something I have striven to do ever since I realised that hockey would not only be my full-time job but basically my entire life so with that in mind I think the award I would most like to put my name on is the Damian Littleton Trophy.

3. What are you expectations for San Francisco? Coming in as the third pick you must expect great things out of San Fran to stick around.

It's going to be at least another two seasons or so before I expect that I will be moving up and a lot can happen in that time. Ultimately I'm a pretty loyal person I think and I don't really expect anything from my team or workplace other than that they help provide a positive working environment and do their best to make the team competitive with the tools they have available. And of course the same goes for me. You have to trust in your system and in management and you have the believe they know what they are doing, otherwise they wouldn't be where they are now and they want to win it just as badly as you do. I think sometimes it can be easy to forget that. I'm not one of those guys who is going to demand top line minutes or a trade if I don't end up winning a cup within the first 3 years of my tenure with a team. The most important thing for me is the well being of myself and my teammates as well as the locker room. I think if you start positively from there you will have more success as a group. The team has some great pieces already as well as some fantastic young talent that will be coming up in the next couple of seasons so I'm very excited to see how we do together. It's fine if we don't end up a cup contender, I prefer being the underdog anyway.

That will be all for now, thanks for tuning in.

Ready for grading. 2100 words. x2 draft media.

Zombiewolf · 09-24-2019, 04:39 PM

hi

Thank you Brandon, Fish, GeckoeyGecko, Karey, Kit, takethehorizon, and Ragnar for the sigs!
[Image: Pw202QP.jpeg]

Player Page || Update page

Zombiewolf · 09-25-2019, 08:09 PM

@"Thatguy91" Ill ask you some actual questions if you want to keep going

1. When do you expect to be ready for SHL level of play? And what are you expecting out of your rookie season?

2. What is your ultimate goal as an SHL player in terms of individual achievements and awards?

3. What are you expectations for San Francisco? Coming in as the third pick you must expect great things out of San Fran to stick around

Thank you Brandon, Fish, GeckoeyGecko, Karey, Kit, takethehorizon, and Ragnar for the sigs!
[Image: Pw202QP.jpeg]

Player Page || Update page

Henrik · 09-26-2019, 01:56 AM

Thanks @Zombiewolf for your questions! Hope you like the answers

Whikadoodle · 09-26-2019, 01:33 PM

Oof, I missed the cutoff.

Sweden

has themselves an all star right here, I can feel it

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