Malte Högberg had always dreamed of playing hockey in North America, but when the opportunity finally came, it was a place he'd never expected... Newfoundland. The rugged island, although not too dissimilar to his native Sweden, was far from home and presented him with a very different culture and way of life than he was used to but he was ready and eager for the challenge.

The first day was a whirlwind. Malte arrived late in the evening, his luggage still lost somewhere between Europe and North America (must have been those damned Greenlanders. Never trust a Dane!). On the ice, the pace was faster than Malte had been used to in Sweden. The game here was rougher, more physical, with players constantly pressing you. The smaller rink would take some getting used to but if I could make the transition he felt like he could really thrive here.

After a post-practice steak and beer dinner with his new teammates he felt confident he would be able to give them his very best in the coming season and to say he was looking forward to it would be an understatement.