Detroit Red Wings prospect opens up about tough season in the SHL
Photo credit: Grand Rapids Griffins
Norwegian-born forward Michael Brandsegg-Nygard found himself in the lineup of the Grand Rapids Griffins at the end of the SHL season, and can now reflect upon last year, and learn from his past struggles in the AHL.
While Michael Michael Brandsegg-Nygard may have had some struggles in the SHL with the Skellefteå AIK, it has paved the way for some lessons to be learned in the AHL.
In 42 games, Nygard would score 11 points (5-6) with Skellefteå, and would be brought over at season's end to play two games with the Griffins in the AHL, getting in some playoff experience.
For the Norwegian, a towering 6-foot-1, 198-pound forward, he's used to the North American style of play; more physicality on the ice, and that's just how he likes it.
SHL Woes
Though he wasn't happy with his production level in the SHL, he felt like he didn't help the team enough and would shoulder part of the blame for the team's dismal output. Nevertheless, he can put it behind him and pay attention to his next goal: to make the NHL and the Red Wings squad.
"Tough season, I wasn't too happy about it, but I learned a lot from it and (mostly) just to keep going," Brandsegg-Nygård said of his lower offensive numbers. "I'm not used to not getting as many points as you really want. The team (Skelleftea) didn't have a great season, so pretty tough. (You) feel like you don't help them enough and you feel like you're losing every game
Hard-Nosed Hockey
Yzerman hopes players like Brandsegg-Nygard can help make the Red Wings a tougher team to play against, once they're NHL-ready. For that, he'll have to learn from a down year in the SHL before he can truly evolve as a forward and be successful on AHL ice.
"You learn from it and get stronger in your mind."
Playing in two games of playoff hockey will give him an idea of what coaches want to see out of him in clutch moments and how to maintain pressure in a competitive series.
"It was a great experience to see the type of hockey," Brandsegg-Nygård said. "It's a fun hockey to play, a different hockey. I feel like you have to keep your speed all the way. That was a big difference for me. You're so much closer to the net, too, so you feel like you could just shoot all over the place.
Brandsegg-Nygard hopes to build a future in Detroit that includes a shot at the Stanley Cup, wearing the iconic, winged-wheel, and be part of a legacy that dates back to 1926.
This season will be the team's 100th year in the NHL, and what could be more exciting than a prospect getting called up?
| POLL | ||
JUILLET 20 | 67 ANSWERS Detroit Red Wings prospect opens up about tough season in the SHL Do you think forward Michael Brandsegg-Nygard, a Detroit Red Wings prospect, can make the team tougher to play against? | ||
| Yes | 60 | 89.6 % |
| No | 7 | 10.4 % |
| List of polls | ||
TRENDING NOW
