GUSTAFSSON ENJOYING NORTH AMERICA
(Courtesy of Branden Crowe) — Approximately 4,000 miles from his hometown of Malmo, Sweden, Wheat Kings forward Hampus Gustafsson has settled into his new home in Brandon. In his second season of Major Junior hockey in Canada, the 19-year-old forward says there is a clear cut difference between the style of hockey in both countries.
“Back home the style is a lot more east-west. Here in North America you are always playing north-south, getting the puck deep, chasing it and creating plays from there,” said Gustafsson. “It is a lot more physical here in Canada as well.”
Much to the dismay of Wheat Kings fans, Gustafsson credits former Regina Pat teammate Jordan Weal with making his transition to junior hockey easier.
“Jordan (Weal) really helped me a lot,” he said. “Even though he is one year younger than me, he had a ton of experience and he had plenty to say to me. I took his words and worked from there.”
Gus, as he is known around the rink, was originally drafted by the Saskatoon Blades in the 2009 CHL Import Draft (59th overall) before being traded to the Regina Pats. Gus had a solid rookie season with the Pats, in which he scored 33 points in 61 games. Seven games into this season he was traded to the Wheat Kings for a 6th round bantam draft pick and has fit in nicely.
“He has a lot of skill. He has a quick release and he sees the ice really well,” said Wheat Kings assistant coach Darren Ritchie. “He is a very key guy for us on the back end on the power play.”
Brandon’s Swedish import and the Wheat Kings will be putting a 6-game home ice winning streak on the line Tuesday night when they play host to Brayden Schenn and the league leading Saskatoon Blades. With Schenn leading the way, Saskatoon enters the week riding an impressive 11-game win streak.
Gustafsson has spent time on all four lines this season as this young Wheat Kings squad searches for an identity. Yet, as Ritchie alluded to, there is one place fans can expect to see No. 13.
“We have been lucky. He had played the point on the power play before, so it comes pretty natural to him,” Ritchie says. “He does a really great job of moving laterally on the blue-line, finding shooting lanes and getting shots through.”
Gustafsson has five goals and 22 points so far this season and is following in the footsteps of former Wheat King imports Toni Rajala and Alexander Urbom.
“For our team we have been really lucky the last couple of years, last year with Toni and Alex and this year with Gus. There has been lots of talent,” said Ritchie. “Anytime you get quality players and quality people coming over it will always help your team.”
Tickets to Tuesday night’s game – Brandon’s third of a pivotal 4-game WHL home stand are on sale at the Keystone Centre box office, by calling 726-3555 or online at ticketmaster.ca
