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Joker5123 · 05-04-2015, 02:22 PM

VANCOUVER, B.C., CANADA -- Breaking news out of Vancouver as Whaler's goaltender and Los Angeles Panthers prospect Erik Lundqvist has just signed a 4 year extension with the Panthers. Lundqvist was the 13th overall pick, and first pick in the 2nd round as well as the first goaltender picked, in the S23 SHL Entry Draft. He is coming off his entry level contract with the Panthers and is currently playing for his junior club, the Vancouver Whalers.

The terms of the contract are as follows.

S24: $1,000,000
S25: $1,000,000
S26: $1,000,000 (Mutual Option*)
S27: $3,000,000 (Team Option)

*S26 clause states that if Lundqvist plays in the SMJHL the salary remains the same. If Lundqvist plays 6 or more SHL games the salary increases to $4,000,000.

Lundqvist has played 20 games out of his team's 28 so far this season and leads the league in save percentage, has the least amount of loses amongst starting goalies, is tied for the league lead in wins, but with 6 less games played, and is second in GAA by 0.06 and second in shutouts with 2 but only trailing by 1.

[Image: Henrik_Lundqvist_in_2010.jpg]

Lundqvist in net for the Whalers this season.

We were given the exclusive opportunity to interview Lundqvist following the signing of his contract. Here is the interview in it's full, uncut version.

First of all Erik, thank you for allowing us this opportunity and congratulations on your newest contract.

Erik: Thank you, glad to be here.

Interview

Lets start by discussing the topic of the hour, your newest contract extension. How did this all come together?

Erik: Well, I got in to contact with Nic(las Wastlund) as I periodically have throughout the season and we simply started discussing my next contract. From there we talked about my future with the club and how that reflects in the contract and before we knew it we had hammered out an extension that we were both happy with.

Interview

Can you explain to us what you mean when you say your future with the club?

Erik: Well, if you look at the contract it is structured so that I can spend more time in the SMJHL with the Whalers. The first two years are at league minimum as to not be a burden on the Panther's cap and budget while I am not on their team and then it gets a little bit more interesting.

Interview

Can you explain those last two years of the contract for us?

Erik: Well, in the third year there is a mutual option where the Nic, Brian (Morley) and I will have to come to an agreement in regards to if we wish to proceed with the contract the way it is set up. The interesting part of that third year is the clause, which has been approved by league commissioner Aidan RIchan. The clause basically impacts my salary based on where I play that season.

Interview

How about the forth year?

Erik: That is much more simple, it is a team option for $3,000,000.

Interview

Is it safe to say that you signed a 1 year entry level contract in an attempt to be able to put together and bigger contract the following season?

Erik: I wouldn't say that, I think it was more in an attempt to give both myself and Nic and Brian more room to work with in my second contract, and as proven by the way the deal is structured it certainly has worked out well.

Interview

So you said earlier that you signed for league minimum for the first two, if not three, depending on the clause, seasons of your extension in order to not be a burden on the salary cap and budget when you're not on the Panthers team. Does that mean you expect to go back to Vancouver for 2, if not 3 more season?

Erik: Pretty much exactly what it means. I am well aware of the fact that I will be going back to Vancouver for another 2 seasons, possibly 3, meaning I will have played a total of 4-5 seasons there and I am perfectly okay with that. Actually, I'm quite happy about it to be honest with you. I love playing in Vancouver and can't wait to see what we can do during the rest of my time there.

Interview

Safe to say your plans for playing in the SHL are long term?

Erik: At this point, I would say so. I have to admit it's not entirely by choice since I would really enjoy being a starter for an SHL team but that is not a possibility right now. So thus I am happy taking a longer route to the SHL.

Interview

Have you thought about what this longer route means for the longevity of your SHL career?

Erik: I have, it just means I have to turn into Jaromir Jagr 2.0. Or Chris Chelios. I'm playing until I'm 50!

Interview

Lets switch gears and discuss your season so far with the Vancouver Whalers. I'd like to begin with the draft, where the Whalers selected Tyler Nonerves and he became your newest back up. How did you feel about it at that time and how do you feel about it now?

Erik: Exactly the same. I feel that Tyler is an incredible goalie and if he were on any other SMJHL team he would be a starter no doubt. I think he has a bright future ahead of him.

Interview

Do you feel like maybe a trade is a possibility for Nonerves so that he may get more playing time elsewhere?

Erik: It's a possibility, I know that he will be very much so missed if he does get traded and, like I said, he's a great goalie so whichever team he winds up on will instantly become a much better team and one of our chief rivals.

Interview

Speaking of rivals, your team's rivalry with the Kelowna Knights has really intensified lately, especially this season, any comment?

Erik: We just really don't like those guys at all. They're a great team, we're just not very fond of them at all.

Interview

You're considered the top goalie in the SMJHL, does this add any pressure to you game in and game out?

Erik: Not at all, the pressure is already there day in and day out. I push it to the back of my mind during games and focus on just that but the will to win creates that pressure and it only helps to make me better.

Interview

What do you expect from your team during the playoffs?

Erik: I'd be lying if I said I didn't expect anything less than a Four Star Cup win.

Interview

Erik, thank you very much for this, and best of luck to you and all of the Whalers the rest of the way through.

Erik: Thank you.