TORONTO, ON., CANADA -- The Season 23 SHL Entry Draft, to be hosted by the Toronto North Stars, is just two days away and the rookies from the SMJHL have already started pouring into Canada's largest city for the weekend of festivities leading up to the draft on Monday.

On a rather windy, almost bleak looking Monday morning Fernando Pergher and Erik Lundqvist woke up in their downtown Toronto hotel room. You would expect them to dread waking up, rush to get coffee in their system and get on with their day. Well, because it is Monday after all.


A picture we snapped on our way to meet up with Lundqvist and Pergher.

But, not today. Erik and Fernando were up well before their alarm clocks and already all dressed up in snazzy suits well before we even arrived at their hotel room. About 10 minutes before arriving there we had already received a call asking us to come meet them down the street at a Tim Hortons where they were having breakfast, they apologized and said that they couldn't wait any longer.

Talk about being excited!

Why wouldn't they be though? Fernando is expected to be a top 3 draft pick and Lundqvist a late 1st round pick.

When we walked in to the Tim Hortons we almost couldn't find Erik and Fernando, they were sitting in the back of the cafe, enjoying their breakfast sandwich and coffee just like everyone else, occasionally stopping to sign autographs for anyone that recognized them. We almost didn't want to approach them, they seemed so much like any other person in there, it was great to see.

But, the whole point of today is to keep up with Erik and Fernando as they go through their day leading up to the draft today. They both excelled in their first season in the SMJHL and now the spotlight is truly on them. With that, we ordered our double doubles, bagels and sandwiches and sat down with Erik and Fernando for the first part of our day, an exclusive interview.


Pergher and Lundqvist playing for the Whalers last season.

So, lets start off simple guys. Safe to say you're both excited?

Fernando: Yes. I never expected to crack a spot in the Russian amateur league, and getting to this point was already really surprising and pleasant, needless to say how I feel about the opportunity to play in the SHL.

Erik: Extremely. Before I signed with the Whalers I never saw this day coming. I'm just extremely thankful to have this opportunity.

I know most people have their ideas about where you guys will be selected, but what's your opinions on that?

Fernando: I really dislike giving predictions about myself as I believe every part of life has a touch of randomness and trying to ignore it, particularly when it's something related to yourself, is just... better avoidable. I'd say other people have the right to guess as they have a more unbiased opinion on the subject of discussion, but as such element would be myself... all I can say is that I'm probably going in the first round. However, I think being picked late is infinitely more rewarding than being picked early, so it's not as if I'm desperate to hear my name. After all, the only thing we care about is finding a place to stay and doing our best over there.

Erik: Lots of people have been saying late 1st, early 2nd round for me. But honestly, I don't really care where I go. The most important thing for me is to keep working hard and work towards becoming a franchise goalie one day for a SHL team. It doesn't matter where you're picked, what matters is what you do after you're picked.

Can you guys talk about what you think you need to do before you play in the SHL in regards to your game?

Fernando: As a two-way defenseman, playing well overall is the answer for success. But analyzing the way I'm building my game right now... I get the feeling I ended up abandoning my defensive maturity first aspect, which makes me feel slightly frustrated. I plan on fixing this to become a more valuable asset to whichever team I join.

Erik: Besides waiting for a starting position to open up? Hahaha, no but seriously...I think I really need to work on my skating, that's probably my biggest glaring hole in my game. A little bit more work can go into my shootout ability as well, but that really tends to come together as you progress along in your career.

What SHL player do you guys compare yourselves most to?

Fernando: No one, to be honest. I feel like I don't have enough knowledge to answer this question appropriately, and for that I apologize. Surely there must be a player out there similar to me, but I try not to compare myself with other athletes too much, as this could diverge me from my goals and my own style of play. I just try to do what I can in the best way I can.

Erik: I think my best comparison would be Fourfour. We both have a similar start to our careers and I'm really trying to mold my game as close to his as I can as I've seen what sort of success he's gotten to experience in the SHL. But like Fernando said, there's no exact comparison, we all play our own style of game.

Do you guys foresee being on the same SHL team?

Fernando: I'm not sure about the odds as there are so many variables involved in such a process, but I would be deeply happy with such event. The relationships we all built in Vancouver are really great and I hope to keep in contact with all my current teammates. If we could all extend these to the SHL level, it'd be incredible. Plus, if multiple of us get to stay in the SMJHL for seasons to come united again... that's also a cool possibility!

Erik: It would be great, we've grown to be great friends, but just based on where we're supposed to go I don't think it'll be an option, but the SHL landscape is always changing. Essentially, who knows. We could very well end up playing two more seasons on the Whalers together too. You never know.

Speaking of the SMJHL and the Whalers, how do you guys feel about playing another season, maybe even a few seasons, there?

Fernando: I've said it many times and I'm not afraid to say it again, and I don't mean it in a disrespectful or rude manner, I'll be happy for as long as I find a comfortable place to stay with good community. All the rest is just a situational matter and I'll play wherever I'm needed and welcomed.

Erik: I think that is a real possibility for me, in this day and age there isn't a goalie that is ready to step in to the SHL right away anymore and almost all play at least one season in the SMJHL after being drafted, if not more. I would actually very much so prefer that so that I have another chance at the Four Star Cup, it would be a bit of a disappointment to finish my junior career without a Cup.

How do you guys feel your first season went?

Fernando: It could have been better, but I thought it was decent enough. I won't say I'm happy with my performance, but oh well. Doing badly is part of it and acceptable as long as we know to turn failure into experience for success, so I'm sticking to that ideology and just looking to keep improving.

Erik: I feel like I did okay, considering I was a late addition to the team, had to fight for my starting spot and had a little bit of a tough time adjusting to the North American game. I do expect much, much, much more from myself next season though. Team wise, we did okay as well. The sweep by the Knights was very disappointing, but it happens, hopefully next season we do the same to them.

Once again on the topic of the SMJHL, how do you feel about the roster losses the Whalers are going to be taking with players graduating to the SHL?

Fernando: It will be rough, but it's part of the ride. Many of us dream of making the jump to the professional level and we just have to learn to deal with it. It obviously isn't easy for the GMs to manage this sort of situation, but it's also part of the fun. Independently of what teammates are staying and which are going, I wish all the Whalers success and realization of dreams.

Erik: It's going to be a big loss, yes, that I agree with. But, I feel like with a strong draft, a few returning players we can return to contention right away and hopefully truly compete in the playoffs on our way to the Four Star Cup.

Back on the topic of the SHL Entry Draft, do you guys have anyone in town for the draft tonight?

Fernando: Family should be here with me, but I try not to make a big deal out of this sort of event. My mission here is not to be an attention-grabber. Sports are all about entertainment, but I hope I become a capable and responsible defenseman in and out the ice.

Erik: I flew in my mom and dad, my two biggest inspirations. They'll be with me at the draft tonight.

Let's get a bit more nitty gritty. What teams have contacted you prior to the draft?

Fernando: For the sake of the teams' privacy I'm not mentioning names, but I've been contacted by a few, all of which I have interest in joining. So that made me pretty happy!

Erik: I don't think I'm allowed to disclose who exactly I've had chats with, but I can say that I've been in contact with a few teams.

Now, when we walked in, we saw how you guys were sitting back, extremely humble, and looking like pretty much everyone else in the cafe. Where do you guys think you got that from?

Fernando: I was taught to be like this. I saw many youngsters in my childhood who tried way too much to be modern and cool, and in the end they were clearly just being stupid. So I try to be as regular and simple as possible, also a result of the way my parents educated me.

Erik: I've got to thank my parents for that, hopefully I can make them proud tonight.

Thank you very much for this guys, shall we get going with the rest of the day?

Fernando: Indeed. I'm the one to thank you!

Erik: Thank you guys, yeah, let's get going.

With that, we were off. Fernando has promised his parents that he would pick them up from the airport at 11:00AM, while Erik headed back to the hotel to spend a few hours with his parents that had to fly in last night due to a long flight from their Swedish home.

10:45 AM
Fernando rushes back to the hotel room and switches into something slightly more comfortable before arriving at the airport to wait for his parents.

Erik takes his time arriving back, knowing that his parents will be still sleeping after their long flight in.

12:00 PM
Fernando is still seen waiting for his parents flight to land.

Erik's mom has woken up and is already trying to make him something to eat, even though he's already eaten. His dad finally gets up as well. Based on Erik's recommendation they decide to visit the CN tower a little bit later on in the day.

1:00PM
Fernando's parents flight has finally landed. When they get off the flight it's greeted by happy tears from his mom, while his father is a little bit more calm and holds back a bit, probably due to cameras being everywhere (sorry), you can tell that he too is very proud of his son.

Erik and his parents have ventured into downtown Toronto's busy streets to attempt to walk over to the CN Tower. They end up getting lost.

1:30PM
Fernado's parents have finally grabbed their luggage and are on their way out to Fernando's car to head back to the hotel. We managed to snap this picture of Fernando and his father while walking out of the airport together.


Fernando ( R ) and his father ( L ).

Erik and his parents are still lost. They refuse to take directions from us. Something about Swedish pride?

2:30PM
Fernando and his father have retreated to the hotel gym to get in a last minute workout while Fernando's mom attempts to cook up a traditional Russian meal with only a microwave...


Fernando and his father in the gym.

The Lundqvists are still lost.

4:00PM
We didn't manage to snap a picture of this, but damn it Fernando's mom can cook...especially for only having a microwave to work with! She pretty much made a four course meal with a damn microwave! I can't even pop popcorn on a preset setting properly!

The Lundqvists finally got to the CN Tower, but at that point were too exhausted to stay for too long. They enjoyed the view, Erik and his father had a long discussion on the observation deck that we missed out on unfortunately.

4:30PM
With stomachs full (they made enough for us too! the Perghers decide to start getting ready. Fernando shoots Erik a quick text letting him know the limo will be downstairs for all of them in 45 minutes.

Upon receiving the text Erik tells his parents to start getting ready. It's finally time to head over.

5:00PM
The families both arrive downstairs at the same time and finally meet, unfortunately there is a bit of a language barrier, so Fernando and Erik were translating while they have their own conversation. Needless to say there was a few awkward moments, but laughs were shared and they managed to get along just fine.

5:15PM
As if like clockwork the limo arrives just on time, both families hop in to the limo, off to the Air Canada Center for their sons biggest days of their young lives.

6:00PM
Fernado Pergher, Erik Lundqvist and their parents have all arrived at the Air Canada Center.

6:15PM
Fernando and Erik both take some time to sign autographs while their parents wait by the door for them. After finishing they both say good bye to their parents for the time being as they will only see them again just before the draft.

6:30PM - 7:50PM
Fernando and Erik go through a bunch of media events, meet with a few GMs and just generally get a chance to wind down following a hectic day that is about to get even more busy.

8:00PM
Here we go. Erik and Fernando have taken their seats next to their parents. Next time we see these gentlemen they will be drafted SHL players. All the best of luck to them.

"Good Evening ladies and gentlemen and welcome to the season 23 SHL Entry Draft. Tonight, we are surrounded by some of the best and brightest young hockey players and tonight is their night. Tonight is the culmination of all their hard work from the first day they stepped on the ice. But, tonight is not simply about them. No, it is also about their family and friends who have helped them along every step of the way. This is truly a night for everyone. Teams are looking to build their future and fans are looking to see who their teams select. To all of the young players about to be drafted tonight, please never forget, it's what you do after getting drafted, not where you get drafted. I also wanted to pass along my congratulations to the Manhattan Rage for their Challenge Cup Championship. Thank you and enjoy the draft."

Aidan Richan, the SHL commissioner, has officially opened this year's SHL Entry Draft. The Toronto North Stars are on the clock. Fernando has likely been contacted by the Stars and it is a possibility that he will be selected with the 1st overall pick.

Quote:Originally posted by JNH@Mar 30 2015, 07:06 PM
<div align="center">First of all, the Toronto North Stars would like to congratulate the Manhattan Rage on winning the cup this year. It's a big accomplishment and one that we hope to accomplish right back here in front of our great fans!

[b]Now without further ado, the Toronto North Stars are proud to use the first overall selection in the S23 SHL Entry Draft to select...


from the Kelowna Knights of the SMJHL....


David Benson!!!</div>[/b]

Focusing on Fernando we can see that he's not surprised whatsoever by the pick, a little bit disappointed as clearly it would've been nice to go first overall but, as he said earlier, it doesn't matter to him where he is selected. On to the next pick.

Quote:Originally posted by Bojo@Mar 30 2015, 07:08 PM
<div align="center">With the second overall pick in the S23 draft...

The West Best Kendall Platoon select...


Defense from Kelowna


Viktor Svensson</div>

Once again Fernando looking not shocked whatsoever, he seems to almost know where he's going.

Quote:Originally posted by FourFour@Mar 30 2015, 07:09 PM
<div align="center">[b]THE TEXAS RENEGADES WOULD LIKE TO CONGRATULATE THE MANHATTAN RAGE ON STEALING THAT CHALLENGE CUP FROM US... ALSO THANKS TO TORONTO FOR HOSTING THIS DRAFT.

WITH THE THIRD OVERALL PICK IN THE S23 SHL ENTRY DRAFT, THE TEXAS RENEGADES ARE PROUD TO SELECT...


FROM THE DETROIT FALCONS OF THE SMJHL...


Asbjørn Alexandersen</div>[/b]

Fernando is starting to look just a bit disappointed, he has a short chat with his father which seems to calm him down. The nerves must be getting to him a bit now. Maybe starting to worry about where he is going to get selected and by who.

Quote:Originally posted by O4L@Mar 30 2015, 07:11 PM
<div align="center">With the fourth and fifth overall picks the Calgary Dragons are very proud to select...


from the Vancouver Whalers


[b]Fernando Pergher


and...


from the Regina Force


Michael Boychuck</div>[/b]

Fernando just right out of his seat as soon as he hears his name! He quickly hugs his parents and friends before heading down to receive his jersey! He gets up there so quickly that GM Richan had just finished announcing the second Calgary pick. Fernando receives his jersey and poses for his draft pictures, also along with Boychuck.


Fernando Pergher's draft picture.

Congratulations to Fernando Pergher! It has been a pleasure to spend the day with him. We were unable to make it back for all for Fernando's media availabilities unfortunately. We now rejoin the draft, and we're officially on Erik Lundqvist watch!

Quote:Originally posted by JNH@Mar 30 2015, 07:12 PM
<div align="center">[b]The Toronto North Stars are proud to select 6th overall...


from the Detroit Falcons of the SMJHL....


Bjorn Knutsen!!!</div>[/b]

Quote:Originally posted by Leafs4ever@Mar 30 2015, 07:14 PM
<div align="center">[b]With the 8th overall pick, the Winnipeg Jets are proud to select Bryce Collins</div>[/b]

Quote:Originally posted by FourFour@Mar 30 2015, 07:16 PM
<div align="center">WITH THE 9TH OVERALL PICK IN THE S23 ENTRY DRAFT, THE TEXAS RENEGADES SELECT...


FROM THE MONTREAL IMPACT OF THE SMJHL..


VLADIMIR LIDSTROM!</div>

Erik seems to remain calm throughout all of these last few picks, we are only now entering the area where Erik is supposed to be selected. We should see him become much more attentive and reactionary from here on in.

Quote:Originally posted by teztify@Mar 30 2015, 07:16 PM
<div align="center">The Edmonton Blizzard are pleased to select, with the 10th overall pick in the S23 SHL Entry Draft, from the Kelowna Knights


[b]HANS PONSEN</div>[/b]

Erik appearing a lot more reactionary there, with his head resting on his palms we could make out a "damn". Obviously Erik thought this may have been an option.

Quote:Originally posted by Wasty@Mar 30 2015, 07:18 PM
<div align="center">The [b]Los Angeles Panthers are proud to select with the 11th pick in the S23 SHL Draft from the Kelowna Knights, defenseman, Tom Berkis!!!</div>[/b]

Erik appears a lot more upset by this pick. He hit his leg with a closed fist and said something that we can't really reprint. He looks upset by the fact that he wasn't picked but quickly moves on and focuses right back on the next pick with the most attention we've seen all night.

Quote:Originally posted by HabsFanFromOntario@Mar 30 2015, 07:18 PM
<div align="center">The Seattle Riot proudly select, from the Montreal Impact: Mārtiņš Ziepiņš!!!</div>

Erik appears really upset by the fact that he wasn't picked in the first round, but after talking it out with his father he clearly seems to have regained his composure and looks a lot happier. When we said Erik was the most focused we've seen him last night for the last pick, well, this time this beats. The Los Angeles Panthers are up to pick and it appears that almost all eyes are on Lundqvist except for his, which are focusing on GM Wastlund who is approaching the stage.

Quote:Originally posted by Wasty@Mar 30 2015, 07:19 PM
<div align="center">The [b]Los Angeles Panthers are proud to select with the 13th pick in the S23 SHL Draft from the Vancouver Whalers, goaltender, Erik Lundqvist!!!</div>[/b]

Erik jumps out of his seat! Ecstatic that he has been selected by the Los Angeles Panthers, Erik is grinning from ear to ear as he hugs his parents and heads down to receive his jersey!

Congratulations Erik Lundqvist! It was an absolute pleasure to have spent the day with you and Fernando!


Erik Lundqvist's draft picture.

A few minutes later we are able to finally catch up Fernando Pergher, who is still smiling and proudly wearing his Calgary Dragons jersey. Fernando had just completed a sit down with his new GM, Aidan Richan, and was on his way to collect his parents so that they too may be introduced.

A much while longer we manage to sneak in to hear the last three questions of Erik Lundqvist's press availability. Here is the excerpt.

How do you feel about the current goal tending situation with the Panthers?

Erik: I fell like it's great, we've got two amazing SHL ready goalies and now we have a, hopefully, top tier goalie prospect. I feel like the future is bright.

Were you in contact with the Panthers prior to being selected? It appeared as if you were expecting it.

Erik: Yes, I had spoken to the Panthers before the draft. When they moved up to 13th overall I knew that it was almost a guarantee that they would select me at either 11th or 13th, my only doubt was if I would somehow be selected at 12th, but that didn't happen.

How do you feel about forming a friendship with Jackson Weeks?

Erik: I feel like he'll be a great mentor to me, I won't be going in to the league with the mentality that I have to steal his job if I ever want to play as a starter. I just want to learn all I can and if I can teach him a few things along the way that would be great.

MC: Thank you very much everyone, up next we will have Butch Buckley.

With that, our day with Erik Lundqvist and Fernando Pergher has come to an end. Erik came over to say a huge thank you for everything throughout the day, even though we were the ones who should be thankful. We also later bumped in to Fernando as he, still sporting his Dragons jersey, was leaving with his parents. He too thanked us and said that if we ever wanted to do this again to just let him know.

Throughout our day with Erik and Fernando we learned a lot about them. From how humble and normal they are, how great they are with fans to how great their parents are. One thing we know for sure is that they will one day make amazing SHL players. All of the best of luck to them. Thank you guys.