Hockey’s Future spoke with him briefly after the final game of the tournament.
HF: How would you describe how you played at the U-18 World Championship?
SO: In the beginning of the tournament I played very well and then the other part played better. I’m very happy that we won this World Championship. I think that we all deserved this result the way we were playing.
HF: Do you have any expectations for yourself in the 2004 NHL Entry Draft?
SO: I want to be in the first two rounds in the NHL Entry Draft.
HF: How would you describe yourself as a player?
SO: I’m a forward who knows how to score goals.
HF: What are your biggest strengths?
SO: I play intellectual hockey and have good hockey sense. I have good hands and I can beat a goalie one-on-one.
HF: Do you have a favorite player?
SO: Yes. I like Sergei Fedorov and Peter Forsberg.
HF: Have you heard people making comparisons of you and current NHL players?
SO: Some people told me that I remind them of Peter Forsberg.
HF: What aspect of your game do you feel you need to work most on?
SO: Right now nothing because it’s the end of the season. But I need to improve my physical game because I need to be stronger and add some muscle. On my team we don’t work on it enough.
HF: What do you do in your spare time?
SO: Right now I want to be with my girlfriend. I miss her a lot.
