Opportunity knocked, Svendsen answered

February 19, 2010

Edmonton, AB- All Sebastian Svendsen wanted was an opportunity.

The 18-year-old from Denmark wanted a chance to prove himself at the Western Hockey League level and he never got that chance while with the Vancouver Giants.
Since coming to Edmonton at the trade deadline in the biggest multi-player trade in modern franchise history, the speedy forward has certainly made the most of his chance to prove himself.
In 16 games with Edmonton, he’s scored three goals and three assists and has provided the Oil Kings a much needed spark.
“One thing we needed was energy and enthusiasm and a belief in ourselves. He’s a fun kid to be around. He loves to come to the rink and he always has a smile, he competes like heck and it’s translating onto the score-sheet which always helps,” said Oil Kings head coach Steve Pleau.
“You need that as a hockey team, and especially where we are. He’s really helped us revive ourselves and help believe in ourselves.
“He’s a feisty kid, he never quits on pucks and that second effort is his best attribute. He’s got some hand skills he can finish around the net and he can skate, but that second effort - that will to win the puck battle is something that he’s got.”
It can be a daunting decision for European players to come over to North America and learn a new culture and new language off the ice and a new style of game on the ice.
But, Svendsen was up for the challenge despite the challenges that come with it.
“It was hard for me the whole time (in Vancouver). I really wanted to show how I can play the game, and I never got the chance to show,” said Svendsen at a recent practice.
“After the first half of the season, I didn’t have a lot of points, and my ice-time was down. I was questioning whether it was the right choice (to come to Canada), but I’ve learned a lot coming over here.  It has never been a bad choice to come over here.”
The impact European players can make when they come to the WHL can have varying effects. Some players can come in and fit in right away, and the WHL is a pit stop to the National Hockey League. Others make a small dent in terms on impact, and others don’t even make it on North American soil.
While most European’s in the WHL have fellow country mates they can lean on, Svendsen is the only Danish born player currently in the WHL and he may be the first ever.
Denmark isn’t considered a hockey powerhouse, but he’s been able to rely on the likes of Lars Eller and Mikkel Boedker who are first round picks of the St. Louis Blues and Phoenix Coyotes respectively.
Peter Regin, who is currently playing with the Ottawa Senators has also been a big help for Svendsen.
“They all play in the NHL or AHL and they are good players, who’ve been able to develop to the level I want to get to,” said Svendsen.
“They are big idols of mine, and they mean a lot to me.
“I was talking to my agent back in Sweden quite a bit and my parents back in Denmark have always been there for me, but I had a couple of guys in the AHL like Lars Eller that just told me to keep on going.
“Just hearing that from him meant a lot.”
Svendsen grew up with Boedker and Eller. Even though they are just a few years older than him, he feels they are the players he can look up to.
“You saw them on the ice, and they were so much better than the rest of us,” said Svendsen.
“They gave us someone to look up to, and when you got to know them they are great guys, and they’ve just tried to help us along the way.”
When, Svendsen came from the Giants along with forwards Garry Nunn and Mike Piluso at the trade deadline. Nunn and Piluso are WHL veterans and Oil Kings general manager Bob Green knew what he was getting. With Svendsen, only having 36 games on his WHL resume, he was considered a wild card.
“We didn’t know what to expect from him, but he has been a very good surprise and a great addition to our hockey club,” said Green.
“We heard he had a pretty solid background, but didn’t know too much about him, and he’s come in here, and taken advantage of the opportunity given to him.”
Despite being just 18, Svendsen has quite a bit of international experience with three straight World Junior Hockey Championships to his credit.
In 2008 when the tournament was held in Pardubice, Czech Republic, Denmark qualified for the A division and got an opportunity to play against hockey’s biggest hockey countries like Canada, United States and Russia.
“Seeing Canada play in that tournament really opened our eyes and it made us try to improve and get better,” explained Svendsen.
Denmark played Canada in the round-robin and they battled Canada to a 4-1 loss.
“We battled our butts off really hard. It almost felt like a victory for us. It was a great experience for me, even though we lost," said Svendsen.
With his new outlook in an Oil Kings jersey he isn’t giving up the thought of following in the footsteps of his fellow Danes who have made the jump to pro hockey in recent years. He knows he has a chance to develop now with the Oil Kings.
 “I am really happy to be here. All I wanted was an opportunity, and now I can show what I can do,” added Svendsen.
 “Maybe the scouts will be able to see the good parts of my game now.
“I want to get drafted, and I just want to be able to continue playing like I can here, and down the road maybe I get that opportunity to get drafted.”
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