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Tsunny · 11-23-2023, 06:26 AM

Scene opens on a man in his late 20s appearing on screen of a YouTube video. He smiles as he gets ready for this intro.

TheSHLGuy
Hello everyone in Calgary, my name is Jeremy but you all know me better as TheSHLGuy on YouTube and today I've managed to snag a huuuuuge SHL prospect for you guys. Today we're having an online interview season 74 SHL prospect 12th overall pick made by the Calgary Dragons, Sonja Solberg! Sonja, how are you doing today?

Sonja
Doing wonderful, thank you for asking.

TheSHLGuy
Great to hear! So! 12th overall! Originally you were a 15th overall pick in the SMJHL and now you've gone up three spots from the J and if we look at rounds you went from top of the 2nd round to just over midway to the first! Any comments on being drafted earlier than in the J?

Sonja
It certainly makes me very happy as it's proof of my hard work slowly but surely paying off. I have been putting a lot of effort into training after all.

TheSHLGuy
You certainly have been putting in a lot of work! I've heard from fellow teammates and some commenters that you're often one of the first ones on the ice and one of the last ones off. If that's true, do you think the extra hard work is going to pay off this season when you go back to Québec? What have you been working on improving?

Sonja
I certainly hope so! There is a reason I'm putting in a lot of effort. As for your second question, I have been working a lot on improving my defence. When I came to the SMJHL I rarely if ever put in an effort into defence. So there was a lot to work on in that regard. Thankfully, Boss has been very patient and helpful with me in that regard.

TheSHLGuy
It certainly looked like you improved on your defence back from your youth days! Though this past season you didn't seem to be doing too bad defensively. You certainly seem to have gotten the hang of it better than your sister. Are you still looking to improve on your defence this season or are you looking to improve on other points of your game at this point?

Sonja
I have spent most of my early season solely focusing on defence. Which did result in my offensive stats taking a hit but that's what Boss has asked me so I made sure to deliver. As for this season, I'm actually looking to find a good balance. I would certainly like to improve on my stats from last season.

TheSHLGuy
Ahhh looking to improve just overall! That's very fair. I'm sure that the Training camp in Calgary certainly helped you improve aspects of your game. Have you found the training camp more intense than what you had in the SMJHL?

Sonja
Certainly more intense. I was already impressed by Quebec's training facilities but Calgary's one is just on another level. I suppose that comes with the difference between an SMJHL and an SHL team.

TheSHLGuy
That certainly makes a lot of sense! Speaking of Calgary, they used their first overall pick this season to acquire your sister Frøya. Are you happy for her? Are you happy to be playing together again? Were you surprised to see Calgary trade up for the 12th overall spot to acquire you as well?

Sonja
Oh, I'm certainly very happy and proud of her. Though I must say I am a bit jealous of her as well. She is the talk of the town right now but I suppose those kinds of feelings can't be helped. However, I'm certainly very excited to continue playing alongside her. She's been with me since I started playing hockey so I feel like I wouldn't be whole without her. Though I must say, I was very surprised to see Calgary trade up for me. Especially seeing how much they sacrificed. Which makes me very grateful for them. I would love to repay the trust they have put in me and will be working extra hard to do my absolute best for them.

TheSHLGuy
A first and a second is certainly a hefty price to pay, but that does mean that Calgary has put a ton of faith in you Solberg sisters. If you both pan out, there's talks that you'll be the faces of the franchise. How do you plan on dealing with that pressure?

Sonja
I thrive on pressure. Sonja winks at the camera So I'm looking forward to repaying the faith put into me and I'm sure my sister feels the same way.

TheSHLGuy
That's fantastic to hear! Pressure makes or breaks players. For Calgary's sake let's hope pressure makes you a diamond instead of making you crack. You're now the legal drinking age in Canada after the draft, did you drink to celebrate your drafting?

Sonja
Keep in mind, I'm European. It wasn't my first time drinking. But yes, I certainly celebrated the draft with my sister. We had a few drinks.

TheSHLGuy
Fair enough! Speaking of Europe? Have you visited back home or travelled so far? Do you plan to this offseason?

Sonja
This is my first time being away from home for a long time so I certainly plan on visiting back home. In fact I have my ticket and everything ready too. So I'm looking forward to it a lot as I must admit I have been homesick a few times already.

TheSHLGuy
That's absolutely lovely to hear. I'm sure your parents will be delighted to see you especially after being drafted highly to a fantastic organisation. Do you have a message you'd like to share with the rest of the audience?

Sonja
Sonja would say her next words looking directly at the camera. Keep being yourself and work hard for your goals. If you put enough effort, faith and persistence into it you can achieve anything. Just make sure you also enjoy it along the way otherwise there is no point. Finding the perfect balance will be hard but it's gonna be key for your success.

TheSHLGuy
A lovely message to all that hopefully inspires some young stars in the making to make their way to the SHL! I'm afraid that's all the time we have for today, it was an absolute delight to talk to you Sonja, I hope you have a good rest of the offseason and I wish you good luck in Québec next year and good luck in Calgary whenever you get called up!

Sonja
Thank you very much for asking me to come here. It's been a pleasure talking to you. And I wish you the best.

TheSHLGuy
Same to you! And I hope you all enjoyed today’s interview, this has been Jeremy or TheSHLGuy, feel free to like, subscribe or leave a comment down below if you enjoyed this content and I’ll see you all next time!

Video Ends.

(1266 words.)

***boom*** · 11-23-2023, 10:25 AM

Excellent article!

vic03 · 11-23-2023, 11:35 AM

11-23-2023, 06:26 AMTsunny Wrote: Sonja
I have spent most of my early season solely focusing on defence. Which did result in my offensive stats taking a hit but that's what Boss has asked me so I made sure to deliver. As for this season, I'm actually looking to find a good balance. I would certainly like to improve on my stats from last season.