Soderstrom Set to Make NHL Debut

Defenseman Victor Soderstrom will play his first NHL game Friday night when the Coyotes host the Vegas Golden Knights at Gila River Arena.
Head coach Rick Tocchet informed the 19-year-old defenseman of the news Thursday night.
"I phoned him last night," Tocchet said. "He's excited. I love that excitement in his voice. He played in the World Juniors -- and that's great hockey. I know it was a month ago but still, it's competitive hockey."

Soderstrom, the Coyotes' first-round selection in the 2019 draft, said, "This is what you've been dreaming for your whole life, and ever since you started playing hockey."
Soderstrom brings a valuable, right-handed shot to the Coyotes blue line. He will pair with Jordan Oesterle.
"He's had a couple good practices and we want to see where he's at," Tocchet said. "That (final defenseman) spot is open right now. We're looking for who's going to grab it, and we want to give him a chance."
Soderstrom is transitioning to the smaller North American ice surface after playing most of his hockey on a larger, international size surface in Sweden. He gained some experience playing on the smaller surface during the World Juniors tournament in Edmonton, at Rogers Place, home of the Oilers.
"Obviously there's a smaller rink here, but I got warmed up during the World Juniors." Soderstrom said. "It was a good tournament; we played a lot of good teams. So, I think I'm ready for it. Battles in the corners -- it's stuff like that I need to be good at to play at this level."
Soderstrom played five games with Team Sweden during the World Juniors, registering five assists. He served as an alternate captain and was named one of Team Sweden's "Top Three Players."
Tocchet analyzed Soderstrom's transition this way:
"I think sometimes up in the NHL when things are a little more structured, it'll be a little easier for him. He knows he has to work on defending. When he's in front of the net he has to take sticks. Those are the things that he has to work on. Obviously, his first pass breakouts, (ability to) walk the blue-line and his vision is elite.
"I just told him to play his game. But be conscious of his man. Make sure he takes his man in certain situations, and just enjoy the moment."

Soderstrom is also focused on his mental balance.
"Try not to think too much," he said. "Just playing my game. I think it's pretty easy when you play your first (NHL) game that you try to think too much. I just think if I go out there and play my game, I'll have a good game."
One of the most impressive aspects of Soderstrom's game is his knack on the power play, controlling a man-advantage situation from the blue-line. Tocchet plans to insert Soderstrom into power play situations immediately.
"We've got to put him out there, for sure," Tocchet said. "With Oliver being out, we're looking for somebody to take that lead, and he's done that in his junior career and even when he played in the elite league in Sweden. That's one of his specialties. The only thing I guard about him is he's doing too much and he wants to over-pass. That's the one thing about the young kids: they want to make sure they pass to certain guys. I told him you've got to shoot that puck. We're looking for people to shoot the puck. If he's got a chance to shoot, he's got to shoot it."
Soderstrom has no reservations about that.
"I think if I get the chance to shoot, I'll probably do it," he said.

Soderstrom skated with a power play unit comprising Clayton Keller, Phil Kessel, Barrett Hayton and Tyler Pitlick during pre-game walkthroughs.
"I play with a lot of good players," Soderstroms said of the unit. "Kells and Kessel there on the flank. I think they're pretty good with the puck. I just try to do what I can do. I'm pretty comfortable up top there on the power play. I think that's one of the strongest parts of my game. So, just again, playing my game and not trying to think too much."
Soderstrom has been mentored by a few veteran Coyotes as he approaches this moment. Most of the advice came from his fellow countrymen.
"I'm staying at OEL's place, he's helped me through a lot ever since I came here," he said. "OEL, (Hjalmarsson), and all the Swedes here."
Speaking of Swedes, Soderstrom's family, friends, and girlfriend will be watching tonight's game, even given an eight-hour time difference.
"It's 3 a.m. at night there," he said. "They're probably going to watch, for sure."

Lead Photo Credit: Kaci Demarest - Arizona Coyotes // Second Photo Credit: Kaci Demarest - Arizona Coyotes // Third Photo Credit: Kaci Demarest - Arizona Coyotes // Footer Photo Credit: Kaci Demarest - Arizona Coyotes