The Swedish Hockey League is packed full of talented players from USA and Canada who have chosen to play out their career on European ice. Many move around between the best, or most well paid leagues, the KHL, NLA and Liiga and, of course, the SHL making the most of their short, but hopefully, eventful career.
I'm going to have make a Fantasy Team from this year's crop of North Americans playing in the SHL - two forwards, a centre, two defenseman and, naturally, one keeper. I not always chosen who I think is the best in each position, but tried to a variation of clubs, backgrounds and stories to give you a feel of the talent on offer this season.
Broc Little (LHC)
At 175cm American forward Little is indeed one of the shortest players in the SHL, but his point scoring record in the division is nothing but outstanding. In four seasons in the league he has only once scored under 45 points in the year, he has won top goal scorer and most points by a foreigner. And after year in the NLA he returns to Linköping, the club where he had greatest success on a three year contract. The club have also managed to re-sign Canadian centre, Andrew Gordon on a three year contract emphasizing the importance of have stability and quality at the core of their goal scoring aspirations.
Now 30, Little is a player who right at the start of his professional career realized that his style of play, and probably his height, would not be accepted in North America. So after four successful years playing for Yale University, he moved to Europe in 2011/2 where he has spent all but one year of his career. The extra ice space, his speed and sharp shooting have made him a threat to defenses across the continent. Last year he also had the privilege of being part of USA Hockey's Olympic team.
Little's track record means he should be challenging for top goal scorer and/ or top points scorer as Linköping aim for an automatic qualification with a top six place in regular season and a chance to play again in the Champions Hockey League where Little will be keen to put the Top Scorer shirt on again.
@ABritOnThinIce1
