After Enduring Lengthy Ineligibility, Filip Engarås Set For UNH Debut

Filip Engarås
UNH Center - #16

"There's a lot of different thoughts that come to mind regarding Filip, his situation, and his penalty. To sum it up, I think its a tremendous show of his character as a young man." Mike Souza, UNH Head Coach, November 13, 2019

For 16 long months, Filip Engarås (pronounced En-gair-ROWss) has been waiting to don his UNH jersey in a regulation game. When he committed to play for the University of New Hampshire back in May, 2018, the 6-foot, 190-pound centerman from Stockholm, Sweden was planning to be the first Swedish player in the history of the UNH men's hockey program.

Players who want to participate in NCAA athletics are required to submit documentation to the NCAA Eligibility Center (formerly the NCAA Clearinghouse) verifying they've met both the academic requirements and amateurism standards. Filip had no difficulty meeting the academic standards but the NCAA did not grant him amateur status.

In European countries, junior hockey programs are often affiliated with and supported by professional hockey clubs. At the age of 16, Engarås moved nine hours north of Stockholm to play for the Skellefteå AIK hockey organization. He played for the Skellefteå Junior 18 and Junior 20 teams for three seasons. However, according to the website for the Skellefteå AIK team in the Swedish Hockey League - Sweden's top professional league, Engarås also played in 4 of their games in the 2016-17 season and 2 games in the 2017-18 season.

One could argue that Engarås's professional hockey experience in Sweden was extremely limited. His average time on the ice in the four 2016-17 games was 4 minutes and 21 seconds and for the two games in 2017-18, it was 3 minutes and 20 seconds. Across all six games, he registered a total of 2 shots on goal and no points. Regardless, the NCAA Eligibility Center ruled that Engarås did not meet amateurism status and did not allow him to play any games for UNH all of last season or for the first 9 games of this season.

The only real game experience Filip has had while at UNH was in the exhibition game against the University of Guelph this preseason. He registered 2 shots on goal and won 6 out of 11 faceoffs. However, as Head Coach Mike Souza described in the weekly press conference on Wednesday afternoon, Filip Engarås has made far more contributions to the UNH hockey program over the last 16 months. Fortunately for Filip, his teammates, and UNH hockey fans, he will make his official debut on Saturday night in the game against the University of Maine.

As for being the first Swedish player in UNH Men's Hockey history, it's a matter of interpretation. Freshman defenseman Kalle Eriksson from Leksand, Sweden has played in 7 out 8 games so far this season. My guess is Kalle and Filip wouldn't mind sharing the honor.

Here's the entirety of what Coach Souza had to say about Filip Engarås, how he's handled the many months of ineligibility, and what he means to the team:

"There's a lot of different thoughts that come to mind regarding Filip, his situation, and his penalty. To sum it up, I think its a tremendous show of his character as a young man because being someone from Sweden, when his penalty was handed down - whether it's too harsh or not, I guess is irrelevant now. He could have left. He could have gone back to Sweden and played but he had fallen in love with UNH and I think his heart was here. But, to be healthy, to sit out a whole year, plus an additional 9 games is a lot on a young person.

We presented him with - 'hey, this is completely up to you. We completely understand if you want to move on.' (We were) hoping all along that he would want to stay here and having a good feeling that he may, but understanding if he didn't.

There's been a roller coaster of emotions for him all along the way. I think it's hard, sometimes we talk all hockey here, but being a student athlete...I think hockey and sports is such a big part of these young people's lives. And to have that not be a part of their life can effect you in all sorts of areas. He was able to maintain his focus academically, and I know it wasn't easy for him. Give Joanne Maldari and our academic support people a lot of credit for that. Colin Shank and our support staff in general, continually making him feel welcome.

As I told the team often times last year, he was as much a part of the team as anyone. Often times, if we were preparing for a team and were working on the penalty kill, we would have him be the marquee guy on the power play. So he was as much a part of the team as anyone last year. But, to not be able to play is hard. I'm happy that's behind him and we're looking forward to seeing him play in live action.

100%, he'll be in the lineup Saturday night. He's a natural center. I'm not sure what he's going to bring (to the offense). I don't know yet who he will be playing with. I just know he's a solid two-way player. I was able to see him play in Europe and we've been able to watch him here for a year plus a couple months.

He's talented and cerebral. He's not going to bring people out of their seats but, if you understand the game, you'll have a real appreciation for the ways he plays both sides of the puck." Mike Souza, UNH Head Coach, November 13, 2019

For those fans who haven't seen Filip Engarås play or don't know about his background and accomplishments, here's a re-post of a Preview I prepared on him at the beginning of last season. It's called "UNH Freshman Filip Engarås: A Clever Two-Way Center":

"Filip is a two-way player that is excellent on faceoffs. He was the center on a talented line for his team and led them to success. He was a two-year team captain that will bring leadership qualities." Mike Souza, UNH Head Coach

“Filip Engarås is a clever two-way center who reads the game well." Carl Larsson, Swedish scout for Future Considerations

Filip Engarås (Pronounced En-gair-ROWss) UNH Jersey #16 Forward, 6'0", 190 lbs. Shoots Right Hometown: Stockholm, Sweden DOB: 5-16-1999 Turned 19 in May Last Team: Skellefteå AIK J20 (Swedish Super Elite League)                   ~ Captain and Starting Center Commits to UNH: May, 2018 at Age 19 years "Filip Engarås: UNH Hockey's First Swedish Player"

2017-18 Highlight Reel

Scouting Report

“He is a clever two-way center who reads the game well. Has really great skating abilities and good work ethic. Has improved his release and is now a good shooter, combined with the smartness which he uses to find unexpected passes. I am excited to see his future development as he is that kind of guy that really works hard, on and off ice. He is certainly determined to have a good hockey career.” Carl Larsson, Swedish scout for Future Considerations

Junior Hockey Statistics

Player	Season	Team	League	GP	Goals	Asst	Pts	PIM
Filip Engarås  (F)	2017-18	Skellefteå AIK J20	Super Elite	42	22	23	45	34
		Playoffs	Super Elite	3	2	0	2	6
		Team Sweden U19	Intl	4	2	0	2	6
	2016-17	Skellefteå AIK J20	Super Elite	38	10	9	19	14
		Playoffs	Super Elite	2	0	0	0	0
		Skellefteå AIK J18	All-Swedish	1	1	0	1	0
		Playoffs	All-Swedish	3	3	1	4	0
		Skellefteå AIK J18	Elite	2	0	2	2	0
	2015-16	Skellefteå AIK J20	Super Elite	10	0	1	1	0
		Skellefteå AIK J18	All-Swedish	11	3	0	3	8
		Playoffs	All-Swedish	2	1	0	1	2
		Skellefteå AIK J18	Elite	16	7	12	19	14
		Team Sweden U17	Intl	6	1	1	2	6