Uncharted: Waterfalls with Wenny

Welcome to UNCHARTED. Developed in partnership with Filson, this is a series of profiles showcasing the natural beauty and experiences found in the Pacific Northwest while getting to know more about our Kraken players away from the ice. You can find our first installment with Jared McCann *HERE*.

Alex Wennberg has always been a fan of the outdoors. So, when it started to snow on the day we'd planned to hike the Coal Creek Trail, I knew it wouldn't faze him.

We met at the trailhead, charted out our route, and headed out in search of the waterfall at the trail's end. It was going to be a relatively short hike with an incline on the way up and downhill as we headed back out.

No worries, though. Alex is used to taking on challenges.

The center signed as a free agent with the Kraken the summer before their inaugural season. He's become a fixture in the top six and his creative playmaking along with his defensive prowess has earned the respect of his coaches and teammates alike. Alex's name is one of the first mentioned when you ask which Seattle player has the best hockey sense.

"I would say probably that's why I'm in this league," Alex said. "I feel like my hockey IQ is probably what brings me to this level. I do have skill. . . but I feel like the way I look at the game and think about is probably what helps me to stay in this league for this long and be at this level… how I look at the game, I feel like that helps me to perform and achieve and look at every situation to see 'okay, what is the best play at this moment?'"

But that skill wasn't always able to be on full display. Alex smiles when asked about his pass-first style of play. He's been told to shoot the puck more for years. Reconciling that, while fighting for the opportunities to show what his game is all about led to some rough patches in his career. But Alex persevered and now has 600-plus NHL games to his credit. He also recently scored his 300th point.

Asked about his career's relative longevity and success, Alex credits the lessons he learned from those tough stretches as well as the mental strength he's developed, nurtured in part by his partner, Felicia.

Felicia and Alex grew up just a short distance from one another in Sweden. They knew of each other but never met until Alex was already playing in the NHL. By that point, Felicia was well on her own career path as a health coach, having studied in the United Kingdom. But once they got together, the rest was history, and as an added bonus, Felicia's expertise in nutrition and how to take care of your mindset has helped Alex optimize his performance.

"She studied that and tried to evolve it to see what it could be and how to help people," Alex said. "The game of hockey is such a game of mental strength. There's 82 games and you get tired physically but (you) always need to be in the headspace to be ready to play a game. (Her) path is something that really helped us and teaches me a lot."

Alex lights up when asked to talk more about Felicia, "she's a blast of sunshine," he raves. And he delights in stories of spending time with their family which includes dachshund Lexi and son, Rio.

And, after learning that his teammates unanimously voted him best dressed, I couldn't help but ask about fashion. Before we headed out on our hike, I'd watched Alex take care to pick out the items he wore including his Filson jacket and toque, so I asked how seriously he takes his outfit choices - especially when he was going to be around a photo and video crew.

With a smile, Alex acknowledged that he does know the best angles for when he's in front of the camera, but said that clothes aren't the most important thing for him - especially with the arrival of his son, Rio: "you're always going to get spaghetti on your shirt," he laughed.

The Swede does like to have fun with his wardrobe and presents well, but what's even more impressive is what happens with the items he doesn't wear anymore.

Helping others has always been a priority for Alex and Felicia. A few years ago, the couple donated a bunch of clothes to a charity that repurposes items for LGBTQIA+ youth in need. The cause is one he, and Felicia in particular, hold dear.

"My wife is doing like a hell of a job with this," Alex said. "She's been through the years going to Pride festivals back in Sweden. We felt like when it comes to clothes or not using something, (they should go) to people with needs, and looking at the charity right there with LGBTQ (ties) it really felt like a great option.

"That is something that we really try to do as much as we can, to just help someone or some group that would benefit. The small things you can do that actually have an effect…we try to do it as much as we can."

Our conversation paused as we rounded the final turn on the trail. The waterfall came into view. It was almost too good to be true - feeling like you're a hundred miles from anything - even though Seattle was a quick 15-minute drive away.

This is what's so great about where we live, I say. Alex agrees.

"Right now, we (have) this little snow sprinkle on top, which makes it even nicer," Alex says. "You have these sneaky spots here like this small hike…and like all of (the trails). It's crazy."

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