The first year is always tough for players. The transition for new teams, a new league and new faces is always difficult, and it can be made even more difficult for European players. One of those entering a new North American league this season was Alexander Wolff. The young Norwegian player saw himself drafted later than originally projected. That did not deter the young defender. The rookie had a very quiet, underrated season. He led all defenders in hits when it was all said and done with 112, while chipping in a fair amount of points from the blue line with 27 points and blocking 29 shots to go with it.

The youngster improved immensely over the course of the season. To start he was drafted as a defensive defenseman, but as the season went on his offensive game started to come around. For a 5’ 10” defender, he also threw an inordinate amount of hits as the season went on, especially compared to the other defensemen throughout league.

“I was a bit out of shape to start the camp, I knew I was going to need to work a bit harder if I wanted to contribute to the team. My size was a big issue, I gained I think 20 lbs from training camp to the middle of the season, which is when I really started using my body and leverage more. I think it was an important lesson for me. I thought I was extremely healthy and in great shape going into camp, but it just goes to show you can never stop learning,” remarked Wolff.

His team, the Montreal Impact also had a good season. Placing 3rd in a tough conference was not a knock on the team, as they just simply had stretches where they seemed to fall apart that hurt them in the long run. However, this article is not about the Impact, but more importantly the players on it. Alexander Wolff was particularly close with teammate Evandrus Jesster. Both were rookies and had an immediate bond. Part of this may have had something to do with the fact that both youngsters’ agents, Nathan D’Angelo and Ryan Jesster, were close friends as members as the Calgary Dragons even winning a few cups together along the way.

Wolff was for the most part quiet within the lockerroom, being a bit on the shy side this season, but the youngster still enjoyed his time with the team this season.

The Norwegian defender was quoted as saying, “A lot of the players already knew each other, so I was a bit on the outside of conversations. But everyone was still so nice and welcoming. They all helped me get familiar with the city and the type of hockey they play. My teammates are part of why my season went so well and why I will be glad if I am back in Montreal next season”

The city was also a very easy transition for Wolff. Montreal had a very familiar ‘vibe’ as Oslo, the youngster mentioned, saying the weather was especially easy to acclimatize to as it was almost identical in the winter as his hometown.

The transition and slow start were all new to the youngster, but he seems to have grown from his experiences and looks well on track to being a great defensive defensemen in the SHL. Come draft day, it will be interesting to see where Alexander Wolff lands, however he will be a player to watch regardless of his draft position and team.