<div align="center">Finn Larsson</div>
<div align="center">An Off-season of Work</div>



For many athletes, hockey season never really ends.  Yes, a seasons worth of games may pass, a new cup champion may be crowned, but ultimately the pursuit of SHL greatness requires a 365 day commitment.  For those truly dedicated to their craft, the conclusion of a single seasons game schedule just brings about a period of transition.  The day-to-day practices, weekly flights across country and nights spent studying game film give way to new workout regimens, conditioning schedules and development camps designed to improve player performance.  In many ways, the off-season for a hockey player can be just as grueling as the regular season.  For a young athlete, just getting his feet wet in the professional environment, this can be a crucial time of year.  History has shown over and over again that this is the critical point in an athlete’s life where the habits that will ultimately lead them become a true star or a destined failure are formed.  Rarely do we see great talents, late in their careers, fall off due to inconsistent work ethics.  No, more often than not it’s in the early stages of a player’s career where we see the dedication, attention to detail, and willingness to stay disciplined guide the path to success or failure.  It’s not really all that surprising, either, when you think about it.   At this point in their careers, many young athletes haven’t yet tasted the struggle of true competition.  Many have skated by to this point, relying on skill alone to help get them to this level.  What one learns quickly, however, is that you can’t survive at this level on simply skill alone.  Those who dominated their under 18 leagues now find themselves swarmed by others who, in many way’s, are just as talented as them.  To succeed at this level, a player must learn to develop the habits that will ultimately guide them to success.  Strong work ethics and discipline are key hear.  In almost every draft since the beginning of time, you can find the handful of players who had all the skill in the world but none of the dedication.  Many of those players, expecting their talent alone to guide them to fame and fortune, die out. In the meantime other players perceived to be less talented initially, go on to have long careers, fueled by desire and a will to win. 
       
To find a recent example, you have to look no further then the case of Leif De Bruin.  The former Swedish center of the Halifax Raiders spent the early part of his career dominating the SMJHL ranks.  In S29 De Bruin was selected 5th overall in the SHL draft by the LA Panthers, thanks in large to his overwhelming talent and skill set.  This, however, would prove to be the high point of De Bruins playing career.  While many SMJHL GM’s praised De Bruin on ice ability,  time would reveal that Leif had a much greater talent of indulging in the “good life” that often comes with fame and fortune.  De Bruins inability to develop a solid work ethic early, on ultimately doomed his career and kept him from ever playing a single game at the SHL level. 

This articles long winded promotion of off-season importance and the sad story of Leif De Bruin all bring us to the point of this media piece.  As we complete the first full off-season cycle, now a year removed from the SMJHL S33 draft, we are reminded of the importance a year can make on a young talent like Finn Larsson.  Comparisons can be made between Larsson and De Bruin, which is the main reason why Leif’s name has re-emerged in this article now a year after his retirement.  Like De Bruin, Larsson is a product of the agent xfactorx121.  Xfactorx121 was a character who received a lot of criticism for the downfall of the once promising De Bruin and many people questioned Larsson’s true potential when he came to the SMJHL with this particular agents name attached to him.  While the two do share some similarities, it’s not hard to see the different approaches to game that Larsson takes as opposed to De Bruin.  While Larsson has, at times proved to be a handful, his dedication to hockey has never been questioned.  Knowing the importance an off-season can have on a young player, let’s take a look at what Finn Larsson has been doing with his time away from the rink.

The Colorado Mammoths Play-off Demise

The S33 Colorado Mammoths in many way’s exceeded the expectations of fans and critics when they claimed the wild card spot for the Western Conference playoffs.  Despite a valiant effort the Mammoths did eventually fall in the first round to the Kelowna Knights 4 games to 2.  While Larsson fit more into the S33 roster as a role player for the Mammoths, the loss hit him harder then most expected.  Following the game 6 defeat, Larsson was un-approachable by teammates and media members in the immediate aftermath.  Soon after coming from the ice, locker room personal watched as Larsson cracked a Bauer stick off his locker in frustration, destroying both the stick and part of the locker itself.  Leaving a fist sized hole in the back of his wooden locker, Larsson sent the message that loosing, to him, was un-acceptable.  As players filed out of the Mammoth arena that night for the last time, Larsson was flagged down in the parking lot by a local media reporter.  While still fuming, Larsson did manage to keep it together long enough to give the media member a few thoughts to the closing season.



  “It’s just un-acceptable!”  Larsson remarked.  “To end our season on that note after having a two game lead, it’s just un-acceptable.  We have to be better in everyway.  This is a shit feeling we all have right now and I don’t think it’s going to get better until we have a chance to change the tides next season.  If there’s one thing I hate in this world it’s fucking loosing.” Larsson closed out his comments.  “It’ll keep us hungry, I can guarantee you that.  I wish next season started tomorrow.”

The SHL Draft

As the wounds from the previous seasons disappointing end healed, Larsson’s off-season led him and other SMJHL rookies to the S34 SHL draft.  Being the 6th overall pick in the previous years junior selection process, the expectations where that Larsson would once again find himself as a top pick.  Predicted to be a top 8 player in many mock drafts, Larsson entered the night excited and beaming with a certain confidence.  As the picks slowly went one by one it became apparent, however, that Finn Larsson was not going to see himself land among the top 8 picks like once expected.  As player after player was called Larsson watch himself slide down the board all the way down to pick #13.  What started as a once promising night, turned into another disappointment for the newest Calgary Dragon.  Once again, Larsson’s frustrations where witnessed by all as he stormed out of the draft hall shortly after being picked, refusing to give an interview to anyone asking.  While Larsson was unavailable, agent xfactorx121 did give a short statement to surrounding media personnel. 

“He’s obviously frustrated!”  Xfactor explained.  “He’s worked hard to get this point and I think he feels disrespected for his efforts.  What you have to understand about Finn is that he’s an emotional guy.  When something bothers him he doesn’t put on a happy face and pretend, he gets angry.  It’s part of what makes him a great player.  He plays with a lot emotion.” 

Enter The Dragon

While the draft night explanation by Larsson’s representatives was short and to the point, it left many questioning Larsson’s current mindset heading to Calgary.  Flying north, to take part in his first SHL training camp, many people saw a much lighter and energized version of Larsson, who was now, more willing to speak to reporters. 

“Draft night was hard, I can’t cover that up.” Larsson continued.  “Being here, however, over the last few days has taught me a very important lesson.  I’ve spent a lot of time with the guys out here in Calgary, had the opportunity to speak with the coaches and players and I’ve been welcomed into this facility like a member of the family.  Guy’s have pulled me aside to see how I’ve been doing.  A lot of guys have expressed how lucky they feel they are that I fell all the way to the Dragons, it’s been nothing but positive since coming in here.  I’ve learned that where you get drafted is much more important then when you get drafted.  It’s really focused me, humbled me and put me in great position to move on.”

Larsson’s positive outlook put him in an excellent position and the young center went on to have one of the stand out training camps in the league among rookies.  Now sitting with 333 TPE with still a week to go in pre-season, Larsson looks primed to be a dominant force in the SMJHL this season.  What’s changed since last season you ask?  Well, Larsson spent the majority of the off-season doing what smart players do.  Focusing on weaknesses and fine tuning areas of strength.  One of the major knocks against Larsson last season was his lack of toughness and unwillingness to fight for the puck in the “dirty places” on the ice.  Finn Larsson is an incredibly skilled forward with the puck on his stick but relied too much on a finesse game to produce opportunities.  While Larsson did have some success as a first year junior player, his style of play was relatively easy to game plan for and teams with strong defensive units could stifle him for the most part.  Look at Larsson at he headed into the Pepsi center for the first Mammoths team meeting of S34, it was easy see that Larsson has put on a considerable amount of size and muscle.  Spending much his rookie season hovering around 52 overall strength, point wise, Larsson invested a significant amount of his time getting stronger.  Now, heading into the new year with a strength rating of 62, Larsson looks to bring a much more physical play to his game.



“It’s somewhere I had to get better.  I’m no longer the fastest guy on the ice most nights and relying on just speed and skating wasn’t going to cut it.  I’ve put on a considerable amount of muscle this year and think it will serve me well in the congested areas on the ice.  If anything it allows me to be a little more confident going into the hard places and fighting for the puck.”  Larsson say’s with a smile.  “I think it’s going to give me a lot more opportunities to do the  things I do best.”

Larsson also spent a great deal of his off-season working with Mammoths coaching staff on his defensive play.  Known mainly as an offensive weapon, Larsson often became a defensive liability it key moments of the game, which significantly cut his ice time.  Moving from 50 defensive points last year up to 62 defensive points this year, Larsson hopes that he can least become less of detriment when playing in his own zone.


“I’m always going to consider myself an offensive player first.”  Larsson explained.  “I’ve love shooting, passing and just being able to be creative with the puck on my stick.  I may never get to the point where I’m a great two way forward, that’s just not my style.  I do, however, need to become a serviceable player at that end of the ice.  If my team doesn’t feel comfortable having me out there in keys moments than it limits my ability to make an impact.”
While Larsson now appears to be slightly more well-rounded, don’t expect a flat line in his offensive stats.  Larsson fully expects to be a major point producer on the Mammoths second line this season.  Entering the season with a projected 80 points invested in puck handling and another 80 points invested in passing, expect Larsson to be a major force in the offensive zone.  A “pass first” type player, Larsson’s assists where relatively low last season at 13.  Expect a major rise in those numbers as Larsson continues to fine tune his excellent stick skills.

It’s doesn’t always have to be about work

While the off-season is a key part of a players development and a significant time investment has to be made, their also has to be time to recharge the battery and get healthy.  While Larsson appears to be fully dedicated to his hockey career, he’s not without adventuress side. 
“You have to fun.”  Larsson smirked when asked about his short vacation after the conclusion of last season.  “What’s the point in being rich if you never give yourself time to spend it.  I definitely expect to take some time and enjoy a week or two this off-season.  It’s important, think of it as a mental health break.”
And break he did!  A few weeks following the Mammoths post season defeat, Larsson absconded to the Bahamas with Swedish model and rumored girlfriend in hand.  While the paparazzi ultimately gave the two their space, photos of Larsson cozying up with a pretty lady and full drink in hand appeared on the internet for all the world to see.



That concludes our piece on Finn Larsson for now.  Stayed tuned as we follow this exciting young player through the S34 hockey season.

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