2015 NHL first-round draft pick Joel Eriksson Ek will soon be attending his first NHL training camp. Until then, he is trying to help Farjestad Karlstad win the CHL's Group O. 

by Derek O'Brien

Joel Eriksson Ek was a first-round draft choice by the Minnesota Wild in 2015, and in little more than a week from now he'll head across the Atlantic Ocean to attend his first NHL training camp. 

Until then, he's playing for Farjestad Karlstad in the Champions Hockey League. So far, the versitile forward has played two games, both wins, and on Sunday he'll play a third against Sparta Prague, in which Farjestad hope to wrap up first place in Group O. 

Farjestad won the first game against Sparta 2-1, scoring twice in the third period. About the game, Eriksson Ek felt, “The first period wasn't very good. Then we started skating and playing like a team, and the two periods after that were good.”

You were on the ice in the third period while your team was protecting a lead. It says a lot that your coach trusts a 19-year-old in that situation.

“Well I try to be a two-way player. Sometimes I can score goals but you have to be able to stop them from scoring too, especially when you're a professional.”

Soon you'll be going to your first NHL training camp. When do you leave?

“I'm going on the 12th, so we'll see what happens after that.”

Do you think playing in highly competitive games like this before camp gives you an advantage over other players?

“Yeah, of course. It's always good to be in game shape. It's going to be really intense and playing here is good practice. The team's working hard and it's a good level of competition.”

What will be the biggest adjustments to make when you go over? 

“The rink, of course, is smaller. The game is a little bit different. Not so much controlling the puck, but fast shoot-ins and stuff like that.”

You have professional experience before this season too, of course. 

“Yeah, I played all of last season and half of the season before.”

The recent years have been rebuilding times for Farjestad. Has that been helpful to you and other young players?

“Sure. You know, it's sometimes hard for a young player to get a chance to play against men. You need to learn how to use your body, move your feet and keep away the bigger defenders. There are a few of us here who have gotten the chance to play and get better, instead of just sitting on the bench or going back to junior.”

When you mention Farjestad, the name a lot of people think of is Hakan Loob, who is now your general manager. How is it for the young players to have a guy like that to look up to?

“Oh, he's a great guy to look up to. Of course he's a hockey legend in Sweden and especially with Farjestad. He's a good leader and on top of that he's a great person, always talking to the guys, so it makes it easy to approach him. He's got a lot of hockey knowledge and he's always ready to help out and give advice.”

Farjestad has qualified for the CHL playoffs, but it looks like you'll be leaving the team before that comes. I guess you want to leave the team in a good spot, though.

“Yeah, we're in a good spot right now. Of course you always want to win games and we want to be first in the group.”