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HF's Interview with Jonas Johansson
Written by: Unknown on 11/20/2002 
| The Colorado Avalanche selected Jonas Johansson in the first round of the 2002 NHL Entry Draft. Johansson was picked 28th overall and Alexander Steen (24th overall) was the only Swedish player drafted earlier than him. Jonas decided to leave Sweden after the Draft and went to Kamloops in the WHL. He was an immediate success and has until his recent injury been a big part of the team. Here’s Hockey’s Future / Elite Prospects interview in which Jonas talks about him as a player, his thoughts about the Colorado training camp and his early success in North America. |
| Name:
Jonas Johansson Position: Forward Shoots: Right Birthdate: 3/18/1984 Height/Weight: 6'2 193 lbs. Team: Kamloops Blazers (WHL). Acquired: 1st round (28th overall) by Colorado, 2002. |
Hockey's Future: How would you describe yourself as a hockey
player?
Jonas Johansson: I’m a good skater, have good shot, good
hockey sense, good passes and I like to shoot the puck a lot as well as delivering
fine passes.
HF: If you would compare your playing style with a current
NHLer, who would it be?
JJ: That’s a difficult question. I guess you could compare
it to Sundin’s … in some situations.
HF: What are the strengths in your game?
JJ: My skating, my shot and my playmaking ability.
HF: What
are your weaknesses ? What would you really like to improve?
JJ: The physical aspect of the game could be better, and scoring
more on the opportunities I get.
HF: You
are listed as 6’1, 180lbs. Is that accurate?
JJ: I am 6’2, 193.
HF: Growing
up in Sweden, what were some of your heroes?
JJ: Peter Forsberg
HF: What
are your goals for this and the next season?
JJ: This season I would like to return and make sure Kamloops
will advance far in the playoffs. I haven’t really thought about next
season a lot.
HF: What
do you think of your chances of making the “Avs” next year?
JJ: There is a chance but it will take a lot of hard work.
I will have to do my best and be positive. At the same time it’s difficult
to take a roster spot with the arguably best team in the NHL.
HF: Colorado
selected you early in the draft, what were your expectations before the draft?
JJ: I thought and I hoped that I would get selected in the
3 first rounds, me being picked in the 1st round was more like a dream.
HF: Were
you aware of that Colorado had a special interest in you?
JJ: I knew they were interested in me, but not that I would
get selected that early.
HF: How
did it feel to be a part of Colorado’s camp? Were you nervous?
JJ: I was a little bit nervous at first but after while everything
went smoothly. Everything was so much greater and better than what I was used
to back in Sweden.
HF: What
did you learn during camp that might have changed the way you play hockey?
JJ: You have to keep your head up all the time, or else you
are likely to receive a big hit. Due to the smaller ice surface there is more
shooting involved. In Europe there’s also much more space in the corners
than here.
HF: You
looked a little intimidated from the more physical play in rookie camp. Do you
feel that you have adjusted your game to the North American now?
JJ: More and more, it takes some time.
HF: How
was it like to meet Forseberg?
JJ: It was great fun to get the opportunity to train and play
with him. He was a role model for me already when he was playing in Sweden.
HF: What
does it mean for you to maybe someday be given a chance to play with him?
JJ: It would truly be great, but the road is tough.
HF: Were
you surprised with your early success in the North American Juniors?
JJ: I wasn’t really surprised. I knew I had it in me,
but that it would come so fast and that I would score many points was perhaps
a bit surprising.
HF: What
do you think Swedish junior hockey should learn or take after, when comparing
it to the WHL?
JJ: I think it is more fun to play on the smaller rinks. I
also do think that the rules in Sweden should be like they are here, like with
fighting. In Sweden you get a game misconduct for fighting, here you get 5 minutes.
HF: What
are the main differences between junior hockey in Sweden and junior hockey in
North America?
JJ: More physical play, better players and a larger crowd.
The atmosphere around the games is greater here and that makes you more motivated
as a player.
HF: What
is your opinion of Kamloops as a hockey team?
JJ: We have a good team that has all the chances to success,
if everyone wants and is willing to sacrifice everything.
HF: What
has been the most difficult part of the game in North America?
JJ: You have to always know when the puck will come. In Europe
you had a second or so, before a player was on you.
HF: Back
in Sweden you had great chemistry with Sebastian Meijer, in Kamloops you have
played some with Eric Christensen and Ryan Annesley. Is there any special chemistry
here as well?
JJ: Ryan Annesley was traded after 6 games, which was unlucky.
Our line was arguably the best in the league, so obviously I was a bit moved
when he got traded. On the other hand I do play very well with Christensen.
It feels like we have been playing together for several years, we find each
other very easily on the ice.
HF: Do
you get in touch with the other Swedish players in the WHL, Marcus Paulsson
(Saskatoon) and Fredrik Sjöström (Calgary)?
JJ: Not really, I have played against them both at one occasion.
I know Marcus from the time with the Swedish national team, but I don’t
know Fredrik.
HF: You
were recently injured at a tournament with the Swedish U-20 team. How does it
feel right now and when do you expect to be out there on the ice again?
JJ: It felt terrible at first, obviously, but now 2 weeks after
it’s a lot better. Hopefully I’ll be back sometime in January.
HF: ...and
now some quick questions...., Hobby?
JJ: Golf
HF: Favourite movie?
JJ: The Ring.
HF: Favourite meal?
JJ: Tacos.
HF: If I wasn’t to become a hockeyplayer...
JJ: ...I would have played soccer. I played it until I was
14 and then I was forced to choose.
HF: What do you miss the most back in Sweden?
JJ: My family and friends
Copyright 2002 Hockey’s Future. Do not reprint or otherwise duplicate without permission of the editorial staff.
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