SHL Spotlight: Måns Forsfjäll

Skellefteå AIK has for over little more than a decade subscribed to playoff berths, championship finals and even a few moments of hoisting the LeMat Trophy. Their most recent championship came in 2014 and by the looks of things, they are in it to win it this season. At the same time Måns Forsfjäll, 19, is getting his feet wet every night.

The Team

The team has just finished a conditioning workout when he answers his phone. Måns Forsfjäll says he prefer strength training, but that the now-finished workout for today was a good one. As is life in general for the 19-year-old.

"Things are coming along nicely. The group has come together really well. Life outside hockey is as per usual. It’s humming along. I’ve lived here all my life so there are no major changes of late." the Skellefteå native says.  

He lives in the neighborhood of Alhem, not far from Skellefteå Kraft Arena. Now, Skellefteå isn't a huge city, but there are still distances to cover. But not if you're a hockey player living in Alhem, a few minutes from work.

"Nah, it's pretty close to the arena." he laughs.

Prior to this season, Skellefteå AIK hired Robert Ohlsson as their new head coach. And the former Djurgården boss has made an impression on Forsfjäll.

"He talks to anyone, he’s a really good guy outside the rink. He likes to joke and just be around. At the same time, he’s brought a competitive instinct. He loves to compete and to win. We’ve had that in Skellefteå before, obviously, but he just brought more of that into the roster and organization. He’s really good," the young defenseman says.

Growing up in Skellefteå, now playing for the hometown team, there's a sense of achievement in his voice when asked about the feeling when wearing the iconic jersey.

"It’s something else. It’s something I’ve dreamt about since I started playing hockey as a small kid. I’ve achieved something reaching this point but I can’t be satisfied. Now I’m pushing for more ice time and I’m prepared to do anything it takes. Extra practices, anything. But yeah, it’s really cool to be playing first team hockey. "

Forsfjäll is one of five players on the roster, aged 19 years or younger. And coming in to the team, he feels it's an open door policy, basically.

If I feel I need some help, I ask anyone. They provide me with insights and then I try to get better with their help, he says explaining he asks anyone in the team." he says, continuing:

"It’s been really fun. It’s kind of nice that you know some people in the team when you get there. And especially if there are younger players there, that can make it easier to connect. It feels good. "

The League

Moving from the junior ranks to be a regular in the SHL has it´s challenges. But Forsfjäll takes it all in stride.

How would you describe the SHL?

"I’d say it’s a pretty even league. Everyone can beat everyone. There are also quite a few individually skilled players that are hard to play against." he says. "You have to be more thorough and careful out there. You need to keep your head on a swivel, both playing with and without the puck. You need to make a decision quick or else the opponents will take advantage of any mistake you make. I’d say that’s the most noticeable thing."

Now, being 19 years old, Forsfjäll still plays some sheltered minutes (7:43 minutes per game), but when asked who’s been the most difficult player to face so far, he doesn’t hesitate in his reply.

"I did play Ryan Lasch during a few shifts. It’s really difficult taking away the puck from him. He finds passing lanes everywhere. It’s not for nothing he’s the top scorer."

Have you ever had a moment where the game slows down and you feel right at home in the SHL?

"There are moments where I feel comfortable, but at the same time it’s really something I’m working on. I’m trying to keep the puck a bit more, to be able to do stuff. I’d say I’m getting more comfortable the more I play in the SHL and it’s just a matter of continuing, " he says with a very matter-of-fact voice.

The Player

It is not that hard to unpeel the pride he takes in  wearing the yellow-and-black jersey. Being one of three brothers, all playing hockey, he started at a young age. The sport came to him from his grandfather on his mothers side. His parents weren't that into hockey.

"Both my parents played soccer." he says before offering a possible solution to why he ended up on a rink and not on the soccer field: "Our dad was a janitor at the arena so we were there quite a lot while he was working. We got skating hours on the ice. It was me, my brothers and a few friends. We’ve done a lot of skating there. "

And if he didn't play in the arena, there was always an outdoor rink nearby.

"Yeah, I played a lot of outdoor hockey when I was younger. Now, I don’t have the time. And to be honest, I preferred skating indoors,"he laughs. "The ice is better!"

When walking through Skellefteå, even in the summer, it doesn't take long before you see Skellefteå AIK merchandise in a window, on a car, a bus or someone. The yellow-and-blacks are always a presence in town. And growing up,  Måns Forsfjäll were around the team. His grandfather was a season ticket holder and when Forsfjäll didn't join him sitting in the arena, he was standing among the singing fans. This season, not only has he become one of the seven d-men on the roster. He has scored his first ever SHL goal.

“It was amazing. The goal itself might not be your typical d-man goal. It was more of a Jimmie Ericsson goal. I got in front the net, managed to find the puck and just tried to put it in” he says, referring to the legendary forward known for his battles around the crease from where he notched quite a few of the 287 SHL points (108 goals) during a 13 season, 558 game career - twelve of those seasons with Skellefteå.

Our conversation is drawing to a close, but there's always that question. The one about dreams and the future.

Do you ever dream about the future, perhaps the NHL?

"I think everyone has the dream to play in the NHL. The same goes for me. But right now I’m focused on Skellefteå. My goal is to get more time on ice. That’s where I’m at. But down the road? Sure, the NHL is a goal. It’s a long way there and I need to take one step at a time, I need to work hard every single day. " he says calmly.

A spur-of-the-moment question marks the end of our afternoon talk.

Are you superstitious?

"Hahaha, no! I don’t think so. Apart from taking a nap between morning skate and the game, there’s nothing." he chuckles.