A surprise that happened for Rikard Hammarberg was his trade from Anaheim to Maine during his final SMJHL season. Hammarberg had expected to play out his final season in Anaheim looking to help the Outlaws reach the Four Stars cup finals once again for the 3rd time in 4 years. Winning it all with Anaheim in his rookie season, being led by the veteran leaders of the team such as Ivan Maximus, Ursin Zimmerman and Strom Chamberlain, Hammarberg wanted to be the veteran presence that brings home the cup one more time. The season had not gone the way that the Outlaws had wanted, and Hammarberg was asked if he would accept a trade to Maine. Not having been traded before, he didn’t know what that would entail. Being thrust into a new environment, Hammarberg didn’t acclimate well. Hammarberg ended up crashing at teammate’s apartment, since he knew that at the end of the SMJHL season, he would be moving to Hamilton. Maine accepted Hammarberg with open arms and together, they were able to reach Hammarberg’s 3rd finals in 4 years. Unfortunately, Newfoundland that year had been a buzzsaw, and Hammarberg’s first trade experience did not produce the desired result, winning the cup. Hammarberg’s play was not particularly stellar, and he knew he wanted to give more. He was unable to translate his play to a new team quickly enough and that fact haunts him to this day. Maine had trusted Hammarberg for this play that they traded assets to get him on the team, but in the end, he was unable to bring them the cup.