Soderblom 'honored' to make Red Wings' 23-man roster

DETROIT -- When Elmer Soderblom made the jump from Sweden to North America this past summer, there was uncertainty surrounding where he would lace up his skates in the 2022-23 season.

To start the campaign, the next chapter of Soderblom's professional hockey career will be in the NHL.
After a breakout 2021-22 season with Frolunda HC in the Swedish Hockey League, where he tallied 33 points (21-12-33) in 52 games and was named the European Hockey Club's Young Player of the Year, the Detroit Red Wings announced Monday afternoon that Soderblom made the club's 23-man roster.
"I was very happy and honored to still be in the lineup," Soderblom said Tuesday. "I took it as a positive thing and took energy from it. I'm just going to keep working."

The 21-year-old,
who signed a three-year entry-level contract with Detroit on June 9
, said he's anxious for Opening Night against the Montreal Canadiens this Friday at Little Caesars Arena.
"I'm just gonna go out there and play my game," said Soderblom, who was Detroit's 159th overall pick in the 2019 NHL Entry Draft. "Of course, you feel a little nervous playing your first (NHL) game, but it's been going well this preseason. I feel pretty calm."
Soderblom impressed coaches and teammates with his play during training camp and the preseason. According to Red Wings head coach Derek Lalonde, Soderblom frequently put himself "on the good side of the evaluation."
"Even for myself, I've talked about being open-minded and starting from scratch with everyone," Lalonde said on Sept. 28. "It was true with the rookies. My first look with Elmer was the first game in Traverse (City). His big body and soft hands around the net, especially on the power play, just high-level skill stuff is very intriguing from a big body."

The 6-foot-8, 246-pound winger knows when it comes to skill development, continuing to prioritize good habits in practice will be essential.
"I think every single practice is important," Soderblom said. "Both to show my game, learn stuff and be a better hockey player. Every single day here is important."
When asked what he thinks will be the biggest challenge in the NHL, Soderblom said "getting his game together."
"I think it's going to be playing a high-level game,"Soderblom said. "And be good defensively and offensively as well all over the ice."
While acknowledging that Soderblom earned his spot in Detroit, Lalonde said the coaching staff will continue evaluating where the rookie will make the biggest impact.
"When we get into these games this weekend, we want him to get significant minutes or find a role where he can get significant minutes," Lalodne said. "If he's not able to do that, I think it's probably in his and all of our best interest to send him down to Grand Rapids."

And no matter where his journey might take him, Soderblom is excited for the upcoming campaign.
"I feel like I have nothing to lose," Soderblom said. "I'm just gonna play my game. If it's going well, then it's super good. Otherwise, I gotta play good minutes in Grand Rapids. I feel like I'm in a good spot."