11 seasons, 643 games and 2 Stanley Cups. Kris Versteegs tenure in the NHL was long and successful but his talent and ambition has now brought him to Europe. However, for the Lethbridge Alberta native, it was a rough road getting to Sweden.
With his entire career spent in Canada and the US Versteeg decided to turn his sights across the pond this season for opportunities in Europe. With a resume as impressive as his any team would be lucky to have him. An opportunity presented itself in the KHL and soon Versteeg landed in Omsk Russia to play for Avangard. Unfortunately for Versteeg, his experience in the Kontinental Hockey league got off to a rough start.
– I got there and I was sick for two weeks with a stomach virus and then I actually got shingles. I missed about a week and it was pretty bad, I was in some serious pain... It was a little disheartening, you get there and you're sick for the first three weeks, that was a tough start... I don't think I enjoyed [my time in Russia] the way I wanted to but that's just the way life goes. All in all it's an experience I'll take as part of my hockey career.
Having returned to Canada to be with his family after just 11 games with Avangard Omsk, it was looking like hockey this season was no longer an option for Versteeg. After months with no opportunities to get back on the ice he received a call from an old friend.
– I was sitting at home and hadn't played for three and a half plus months, Sweden I didn't know was even an option. Then Liam Reddox called me and said they were looking for a player to help, that got the ball rolling. That was the first step in having me coming to Växjö.
The biggest adjustment on the ice for North American skaters is getting used to a bigger ice surface. However, with his brief stint in Russia, Versteeg had a chance to experience the European rinks before coming to Sweden, but there's still adjustments to be made and things to learn that only come with experience.
– The one we played on [in Russia] I believe was the same size as here, I was getting adjusted, there's still a lot things to learn about the big ice, places to go etc. There's a big adjustment period for me... realizing just how much skating goes on is a big difference for me.
Pressure to Perform
With just four games remaining in the regular season, The Lakers currently sit 4th overall with 81 points. Although it does look like they will finish in the top 6 and get a bye in to the quarterfinals, the tight standings still puts pressure on the team and makes every game and every point important.
– I think when I got here, we were 10th and you're only 6 points out of 6th... It's crazy how the swings go in this league. When I got here I thought it was a two point standing because everything was so close... that shows the parity in this league.
Despite some butterflies and nerves coming in to his first experience in the SHL, Versteeg has been a red hot point producer for the Lakers right from the get go. Scoring a goal and adding an assist in his very first game it was the best start he could've hoped for.
– It felt good, when you come to a new team especially late in the season everyone is already dialed in, in mid season form and everyone playing so well. I'm coming off sitting on my couch and playing in, I'd say, the second best league in the world so it's difficult but ended up turning out pretty well and having a pretty good start. Since then maybe taking a step back, just trying to find my conditioning and form is the big thing... As my conditioning and everything gets better, my game starts to grow too.
His great start was no fluke though as he has scored 3 goals and added 6 assists in his 8 games played so far this season and has proven to be an offensive threat whenever he steps on to the ice.
Versteeg: "It feels like I'm in Canada"
Life away from the rink has proven to be an easy adjustment for the Canadian as culture here is very similar to the Great White North. Paired with the fact the vast majority of people speak english has made his transition to life in Sweden very easy.
– It's amazing, it feels like I'm in Canada. There's only one person I've met that doesn't speak English and he's on our team. I've walked around town, you go to stores and shops and everyone is so inviting, kind and helpful, it's been such an amazing experience. To me, honestly, I've had bigger transitions going to play in Miami or Chicago... Here it's been a very easy transition for me.
As a father of two young boys, being away from family is the toughest aspect of moving to Europe to pursue hockey. Fortunately for Versteeg his family was able to join him in Växjö quite recently.
– My family got here yesterday, so during game day while everyone was napping I was setting up cribs, setting up beds, setting up WiFi and the family got in at about 2:30... Yesterday was a bit of a whirlwind getting everything set up, but it was great to see my kids again... With them here it makes it a lot easier, you're not worried being away... being away from them is really hard. So now having them here... I couldn't be happier.
With just four games remaining in the regular season Växjö is poised to finish in the top 6 and advance straight to the quarterfinals. Although they haven't had the dominance of last season, the addition of Versteeg has certainly boosted their offense and given them an opportunity to try and repeat as SHL champions.