Mattias Hävelid, 19, really made a name for himself last season, but an injury kept him from playing the first half of this season. Now that he’s back, the 5'10" defender plays as confident as ever, and has become a vital part of Linköping HC on their quest for playoff hockey.
A lot has happened the last year in Mattias Hävelid’s hockey life. He has won gold in the U18 World Championships, gold in the Swedish J20, he has been drafted and selected for Team Sweden in the World Juniors but having to say no. He’s scored his first SHL goal after battling his first long term injury.
Mattias Hävelid grew up in Linköping, Östergötland, and started playing hockey in the youth academy of Linköping HC. But as a matter of fact, he took his first strides of skating back in Atlanta, USA where his dad, Niclas Hävelid, spent four years playing in the NHL.
”I actually remember me and my brother being in the Thrasher’s dressing room when we were little, but those memories are very vague”, he says, adding:
”I have more vivid memories from being in the dressing room of Linköping HC, where Pär Arlbrandt was one of my favourite players. My dad actually brought home one of his sticks and other souvenirs for me.”
Won double gold medals
Mattias mentioned his brother, Hugo. They are actually twins, and both talented hockey players. Mattias is a defenseman while Hugo tends the net. They both won gold with Team Sweden as well as with Linköping last season.
”I thought about that a while ago. Things happened so fast last season, I didn’t really have time to let it sink in and enjoy the moment. At least we had tons of fun, I don’t think I will ever experience a group like the one we had in Linköping J20 last season”, he contemplates.
Shortly after winning that gold medal in the Swedish Juniors, Mattias and his brother Hugo travelled to Montreal to attend the NHL Draft. For Mattias, it was a chance to catch up prior to the draft.
”I never went to the NHL Combine, so I had some interviews to do the days leading up to the draft”, he says. ”I talked to all the teams, but didn’t really feel like the Sharks was going to pick me. I only had a digital meeting with the Sharks, where I talked to their two Swedish scouts, Shin Larsson and Niklas Sundström, and their Director of Scouting Doug Wilson Jr (who is now a scout for Seattle Kraken).”
Buddies got picked by the same NHL team
Even though it was unexpected, the Sharks did pick Mattias Hävelid in the second round. What made it even more special was that they already had picked his Linköping team mate Filip Bystedt.
”Yeah that was really crazy”, Mattias laughs. ”I actually zoned out a bit when the Sharks went up on the stage because I never thought they would pick me too. But as soon as I heard ’Linköping’ I understood and immediately thought of ’Bya’ (Filip Bystedt).”
Following the draft, Mattias was one of the defenders on Team Sweden’s WJC squad for the postponed event in August, but he had to stay home due to being fatigued. It would also prove to be the beginning of a frustrating time with a severe back injury.
”It was tough mentally, it’s the first time I’m out of hockey for such a long period of time”, Mattias admits. ”Still I’ve handled it well, and have been motivated througout this whole time. And a positive part is that I’ve been able to build some muscles on the upper body.”
”A dream come true”
Once he came back, it was as though he had never been out. He immediately looked comfortable on the SHL stage, receiving a lot of ice time (third amongst juniors) and also scoring his first SHL goal in a game at home against Skellefteå AIK.
”That was really cool, and a dream come true. I really enjoyd playing that game, with loud fans, and to score my first SHL goal was the icing on the cake.”
Linköping has had a five year playoff drought, but this year they’re in contention with just over ten regular season games to go. If you ask Mattias Hävelid, the chance of playoff hockey in Saab Arena this spring is good.
”Yeah, we are taking steps as a team and play a solid type of hockey. Everyone knows what to do and chips in. Earlier we had some trouble with zone exits and controlling the puck in our own end, but we’ve improved that along the season.”
A family affair
As for Mattias himself, another highlight might be coming up next season. The World Juniors will be played in Sweden, and much like teammate Filip Bystedt chances are that Mattias will be on the Swedish team. As a matter of fact, it might be quite the family affair. His brother Hugo, whom we mentioned before, could be one of the goalies and their uncle, Magnus Hävelid, is headcoach for Team Sweden.
”Yeah, I try not to focus on him being my uncle. Sure, me and Hugo might have another relationship with him off the ice than other players, but I would say it’s pretty cool”, Mattias says.
So it’s been an eventful year of hockey for Mattias Hävelid. Winning the gold medal in the U18 Worlds, in the Swedish Juniors, having to turn down participation in two World Juniors, being drafted, scoring his first SHL goal after a severe injury. But looking at how he is performing right now, there’s a lot more to come.