UNH Commit Kalle Eriksson: A Puck Moving Defenseman

Kalle Eriksson
2019 UNH Commit

"Kalle Eriksson's a smooth, mobile, two-way, puck moving defenseman." Neutral Zone

“Kalle is a well-rounded defenseman." Carl Larsson, Swedish scout for Future Considerations

Kalle* Eriksson Defenseman, 5'10", 183 lbs. Shoots Left Hometown: Leksand, Sweden DOB: 9-15-1999 Turned 19 in September *Kalle rhymes with "Rally" Neutral Zone Rating: 4 out of 5 Stars Current Team: Omaha Lancers (USHL)                        ~ Starting Left Defenseman; First Power Play Unit Commits to UNH: December, 2018 at Age 19 years, 3 months.

Fall 2018 USHL Highlight Reel

In the summer of 2018, Kalle Eriksson moved from Sweden to play for the Omaha Lancers in the United States Hockey League. These video highlights are from the first 22 games of this season. Eriksson wears #61 in the Lancers' jersey. The reel shows Eriksson scoring his goals (1 in regulation plus 1 in overtime), passing, carrying the puck up ice, and quarterbacking the power play.

Interview

I had an opportunity to interview Kalle Eriksson, via email, about his hockey career and commitment to UNH:

Mike Lowry ("C-H-C"): Congratulations on your commitment to pursue a college degree and play hockey for the University of New Hampshire. Would you describe when and why you started to consider UNH?

Kalle Ericksson: Thank you! I heard a lot of good things about college hockey on the East Coast. After UNH reached out to me, I did some research. What caught my attention was the location of the school, and the videos and pictures that I found of the campus and the facilities.

Mike Lowry: How did you first hear about the University of New Hampshire and its hockey program? Did the UNH coaches reach out to you last year, while you were still playing in Sweden, or after you came to the United States to play for the Omaha Lancers? Did you have an opportunity to visit UNH during the recruiting process?

Kalle Ericksson: I have watched a lot of college hockey highlights on YouTube. That’s how I knew about UNH. Assistant coach Jeff Giuliano talked with me early this season after a game and asked me if I wanted to make a visit. So about a month ago, I went there and I got a great impression of the school, the facilities, the team and the coaching staff.

Lowry: What are the main reasons you chose the University of New Hampshire?

Ericksson: Because I think that I can contribute to the hockey program and where it’s at right now. And I think that UNH will be the best place for me to take the next step towards a pro career.

Lowry: What other college programs did you consider? Which schools did you visit and which ones made an offer to you?

Ericksson: I did not do a lot of visits because I’ve only been in the US for four months. We have had quite a hectic schedule with the Lancers. But I visited two Hockey East teams that both wanted to wait for a while longer. And I got two offers from the National Collegiate Hockey Conference before choosing UNH. I’ve had contacts with some others schools and considered visiting after Christmas but when I got to visit UNH, I knew that it was the place I wanted to go to.

Lowry: What other playing opportunities in Sweden did you consider? Do you aspire to play professional hockey in North America and/or Europe?

Ericksson: I considered starting this season as the 8th defenseman with the pro team in my hometown, but college hockey felt like a better path for me in my development. In the future I want to become as good as possible and if that means that I will end up in North America or Europe, time will tell.

Lowry: At this stage in your hockey development, what are the strengths of your game? What areas are you trying to improve?

Ericksson: I would say that my strengths is in my skating, ability to move the puck and make plays. During my years at UNH I want to become a more reliable player and pay more attention to the details of the game, especially without the puck.

Lowry: Your Dad Niklas Eriksson and Uncle Marcus played professional hockey in Sweden. What role did they play in your hockey development?

Ericksson: I guess they are a big part in why I started to play hockey in the first place. Plus the fact that I’m from a very small town where everyone basically plays hockey. My Dad is also a coach for a team in the Swedish pro league so he has always been “the go to guy” for me to ask questions about everything regarding hockey.

Lowry: Last season, you were the captain of the Leksands IF J20 team. What made you an effective captain?

Ericksson: I always try to push myself and I think I have an effect on people to follow. I think that the fact that I have always played for Leksands IF, through all of my youth years until juniors, also played a part in why I was captain. I lived 100 yards from the rink and it was like a second home for me growing up.

Lowry: What was it like to leave Sweden and come to America to play in Omaha, Nebraska?

Ericksson: As I mentioned earlier, I have played for the same team and lived at home at my parents all my life until I moved to Omaha. So it has definitely been a big change for me both on and off the ice. I have learned a lot. The biggest change on the ice is that the USHL is more similar to a pro league considering the fans and what’s expected from you.

Lowry: What are your academic strengths and interests? Have you thought about what you might major in when you enroll at UNH?

Ericksson: I am still studying a lot at the moment to prepare for my upcoming ACT test, so I’m taking one step at a time. Some of my favorite subjects from high school in Sweden were music, geography, history and religion.

Lowry: As an international student, have you received academic and amateurism certification from the NCAA Eligibility Center?

Ericksson: I am in the process right now and I’m trying to get everything done as quick as possible.

Scouting Reports

"4 Star prospect Kalle Eriksson commits to New Hampshire. Smooth, mobile, two-way puck moving defenseman who can run a power play, shake off forecheckers and break pucks out. A- grade at USHL Fall Classic." Neutral Zone

"Kalle is a well-rounded defenseman. He is solid defensively and likes to get involved in the offense. Has some nice hands and sees the ice very well. He takes big responsibility on the ice and was the captain of Leksand U20 last season. Skates well.” Carl Larsson, Swedish scout for Future Considerations

Youth & Junior Hockey Statistics

Player	Season	Team	League	GP	Goals	Asst	Pts	PIM
Kalle Eriksson  (D)	2018-19	Omaha Lancers	USHL	24	1	12	13	6
	2017-18	Leksands IF J20	SuperElit	34	5	8	13	34
			Playoffs	2	0	0	0	0
	2016-17	Leksands IF J20	SuperElit	39	4	9	13	34
			Playoffs	5	0	1	1	2
		Leksands IF J18	J18 Premiere	3	0	1	1	6
			Playoffs	3	0	6	6	2
		Leksands IF J18	J18 Elit	4	0	2	2	0
	2015-16	Leksands IF J20	SuperElit	2	0	0	0	0
		Leksands IF J18	J18 Premiere	18	1	13	14	10
			Playoffs	5	0	1	1	6
		Leksands IF J18	J18 Elit	17	2	5	7	2
	2014-15	Leksands IF J18	J18 Premiere	9	1	0	1	2
		Leksands IF J18	J18 Elit	5	0	1	1	0
		Leksands IF J18 2	J18 Div.1	3	0	1	1	10
		Leksands IF U16	U16 SM	8	1	2	3	0
		Leksands IF U16	U16 Elit	20	2	13	15	18
	2013-14	Leksands IF J18 2	J18 Div.1	2	0	2	2	0
		Leksands IF U16	U16 SM	3	0	1	1	0
		Leksands IF U16	U16 Elit	28	3	6	9	22