SHL Spotlight: Leo Carlsson

Okay, let's temper our expectations here.. When most of us were 16 years old, we did 16 year old stuff. Leo Carlsson does that as well, but at the time of writing, he's also got 14 SHL games under his belt. Something most 16 year-olds only can dream of. Not only that, he's scored twice, adding as many helpers to his name.

The Team

Leo Carlsson was born and raised in Karlstad playing for Färjestad, before making his move to Örebro prior to last season. There, as a 15 year-old about to turn 16, he joined the Örebro U20 team where he had nine points in 19 games. This season, the numbers in the U20 series have improved, to say the least: In six games, he has five goals and eight assists.

Do you feel more comfortable, maybe more at home with Örebro now?

"For sure. Two years ago, I played U16 hockey and then I was promoted to U20, which is a bit of a jump. This year, I’ve got some experience playing on that level which gives me confidence. I play a lot of powerplay which is also a boost. " Carlsson says calmly.

Then there's the SHL, where he made his debut earlier this season. And just before our call, news broke that Carlsson had been promoted to the SHL team, signing an extension in the progress:

"Thank you very much." he says upon being congratulated on the success. "It feels very good. Honestly, it’s a bit insane, what’s going on, really."

Have you been able to take it all in?

"No, I haven’t been able to grasp it yet. But I think it will sink in at some point." he says.

When asked about the feelings prior to, and during his first SHL games, he starts by pointing to one important thing in terms of preparation:

"I got a few pre-season games where I was able to kind of adapt a bit. It felt alright but there’s a big difference between pre-season and regular season SHL games, where everybody pushes to the max all the time. That might not be the case during preseason. But of course, I felt a bit nervous before the game and during the first period. But when you realize it’s not that difficult, you kind of relax. It gets easier as it goes on.

There’s a sloppy expression saying that young players sometimes are a bit naive out there. They might not think about the consequences of their play.. How have you felt; You just play your game, or?

"In the SHL, you have to be a few steps ahead. You always have to be thorough in your position play. That gives a bit more adrenaline, I think. I wouldn’t say that I just do my thing and press on, I have to think a lot out there." he explains.

Coming into a locker room where many players are 10+ years older than yourself can be an intimidating experience. Those pre-season games helped in that regard as well, as have all the players, making the transition easy, if not seamless. But in terms of hanging out?

"I hang out with some players my age. But [Emil] Larsson is someone that takes care of me. We play on the same line which makes hanging out easier. Larsson is probably the one I kind of turn to, and who looks after the younger guys a lot. "

Carlsson also plays on the same line as Larsson, with the trio being completed by Robert Leino.

Being a 16 year old, one or two teenage sayings comes through as we talk, but for the most part, one really can't tell that Carlsson is that young in terms of him breaking down his answers and explaining feelings.

The League

Asked about the SHL as a league, and what stands out, he thinks for a brief moment, before saying:

"I’d say it’s a difficult league to play. I wouldn’t call it boring, because it’s not. But there’s a lot of chasing, and cycle play. It’s hard to score and getting points. Everything is tight out there."

And then there is an analysis:

"I think some players are more suited for the NHL game compared to the SHL and vice versa. Over there, there’s more of a 'run and gun´' style of hockey. Here we’ve also got a lot of speed, but with more of a structure."

Now, playing – and training – with an SHL team does take some time during the weeks, and the soon-to-be (December 26th) 17 year-old has something else to care for as well. School.

"Yeah, my studies do suffer a bit. I’ve chosen to study the “Child recreation programme” (Barn och Fritid in Swedish). But it looks like I’ll just keep the basic courses; Swedish, English and Math from now on to be able to focus on the hockey. But at the same time, I wasn’t really trying to be a doctor, haha! I need to limit the studies as much as possible to be able to focus on my hockey. But at the same time, I don’t want to quit school completely. I’d lose a lot of social things if I did."

The Player

Growing up in Karlstad, hockey is never far away. For Leo Carlsson, who lived quite close to Löfbergs Arena - the home of Färjestad BK - the sport was literally around the corner. With his father and brother also playing, his path came naturally.

"I started playing with a team at a pretty young age in Färjestad. I think I started playing with those born in 2002. So I was still in preschool, last year of preschool I think," he says.

Playing for a team at five years old is a rare thing in Sweden, but it goes to show how the young Carlsson has been able to rise pretty quickly. And it shows his talent:

He knows the game, he's an exceptional talent" Örebro coach Niklas Eriksson said in a pregame interview with C More a couple of weeks ago. It's hard to disagree. In fact, you can't.

A lot of 16 year olds still play a variety of sports, but you’re 16 and you are in the SHL. DId you play other sports or was there never any?

"I did play soccer for quite a while. But when I started playing U16 hockey, combining the two became impossible."

Asked about what positions he played, Carlsson chuckles:

"I was everywhere! I played goalie. I played everywhere needed. But mostly I played midfield", he says, adding that he also played floorball for a few years.

"But I didn't do that for long."

Our talk is nearing the end for now, but there's one thing we need to bring up: The goal. The first SHL goal of his career. A controlled shot, picking up a bounce, spinning and firing a shot at the same time, beating Färjestad goalie Dominik Furch five-hole from the slot. While he experienced the euphoria of scoring, the fact that he'd done it against his boyhood team didn't cross his mind.

"But thinking about it now, yeah, it’s pretty cool having scored my first one in that arena, where I pretty much grew up. "

Asked about the shot itself, he says:

"It’s not a lucky shot, but I hit it pretty well. I kind of swing while turning and get the shot of. There’s a shot from the point, right?"

Yeah.

"Yeah, the puck bounces and I’m all alone in the slot. I don’t know how really. Then it just kind of happened. "

Lastly, is he able to stay in the moment or can he still allow himself to look beyond the horizon, to dream about bigger things. The NHL, maybe?

"I try to stay in the present, and take it as it comes. But yeah, I’ve dreamt about the NHL all my life. That dream will always be there. " he says, adding:

"I don’t really model my game after anyone in particular. My idol has always been Sidney Crosby. But I do look at a lot of players, although I don’t model my game after anyone. I kind of mix and match."

Leo Carlsson, eligble for the NHL Entry Draft in 2023(!), has made headlines in the SHL, notching four points. So far. Being 16 years old, it feels safe to say:

There's more to come.