Capitals Select Steffen Soberg

by Becca H on Jun 25, 2011 1:04 PM EDT

With the 117th pick in the 2011 NHL Entry Draft, the Washington Capitals have selected Steffen Soberg, G, Norway (GET).

Some more info on the newest Cap:

Eliteprospects.com profile
HF Article - "Norway's Top Hockey Brothers" (h/t sk84fun_dc)

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Varlamov, Neuvirth, Holtby, Grubauer.. your time is limited!

Right?

errr..

by TFG on Jun 25, 2011 1:05 PM EDT reply actions

Just remember…when Soberg might be ready, in four or five years, Varlamov and Neuvirth will be on their next contracts, perhaps with other teams.

If you've read this far...seek help.

by ThePeerless on Jun 25, 2011 1:07 PM EDT up reply actions

Never can have too much goalie depth.

by TheGreat8 on Jun 25, 2011 1:06 PM EDT reply actions

Vogs tweeted

International Scouting Services (ISS) ranked Soberg the 2nd best goalie of all available in the draft.

That'll make your weagle wink!
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by boutros23 on Jun 25, 2011 1:06 PM EDT reply actions

And corrected

Looked at wrong list. ISS ranked Soberg seventh, not second, among goalies, Apologies. Had him projected as 4th rounder.

That'll make your weagle wink!
The pants that bind us should be left behind us.

by boutros23 on Jun 25, 2011 1:13 PM EDT up reply actions

Assume that in one or two years, Varly, Neurvirth and Holtby are in the NHL, whether with the Caps or not.

We need depth long term.

If the guy can play, then put him with the Stingrays or the Bears and let’s see what he can do. You never know.

Nice guys finish first, but sometimes the season is awfully long.
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by STLSpidey on Jun 25, 2011 1:07 PM EDT reply actions

goalie stats from WJCs U20

http://www.iihf.com/channels1011/wm20/statistics.html

Hockey Futures interview with Soberg brothers

http://www.hockeysfuture.com/articles/13084/2011_prospects_norways_top_hockey_brothers_opened_eyes_at_the_iihf_u18_wjc/

Goalie Guild saying he thinks Soberg may have dual citizenship?

by sk84fun_dc on Jun 25, 2011 1:07 PM EDT reply actions

can’t find anything about dual citiz. after a quick search, but didn’t look for long

by sk84fun_dc on Jun 25, 2011 1:11 PM EDT up reply actions

His mother is a U.S. citizen so he is automatically a U.S. citizen…no matter where he was born.

by Goaliemama on Jun 25, 2011 3:52 PM EDT up reply actions

As I noted later in the thread, I missed the note about his mother first time I read the interview I linked.

by sk84fun_dc on Jun 27, 2011 9:57 AM EDT up reply actions

He’s got a little Jim Riggleman in him:

HF: Sure, could you tell us a little bit about that? There was an interview with you on TSN that got a good amount of publicity. What exactly happened in that game?
SS: Well, they thought that it was a pretty big deal that I chose to leave the game early. It’s something I chose to do myself.
HF: So you took yourself out of the game. You must have had a really good reason for that?
SS: It just wasn’t my day. I didn’t feel like I could help the team anymore. I thought our other goalie may be able to put in a better effort and help the team more.
HF: So you were just doing what was best for the team?
SS: Yes, exactly.

I’m trying to decide whether or not I’m cool with that. Leaning towards no.

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by what Juneau about that? on Jun 25, 2011 1:49 PM EDT up reply actions

Too lazy to search right now, but for some reason I rememeber a story or two similar to this happening at the NHL level. Sometimes you just dont’ got it.

by Yoshietree on Jun 25, 2011 1:53 PM EDT up reply actions

Kipper did it for Team Finland in the Olympics.

Please not a goalie.

by Rob Parker on Jun 25, 2011 1:54 PM EDT up reply actions

Lundqvist did it with the Rags a couple years ago too.

Release the Mackan!

by Killer_Carlson on Jun 25, 2011 3:16 PM EDT up reply actions

Is it better to let three in the net behind you?

Atta dinnin stick a who!

by Gould Old Days on Jun 25, 2011 2:08 PM EDT up reply actions

Yea I have no problem with this. Luongo would be a lot more useful if he knew when he was going to be terrible.

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by Bman21212 on Jun 25, 2011 2:11 PM EDT up reply actions

Here's a face..

by TFG on Jun 25, 2011 1:08 PM EDT reply actions

in the HF link

by sk84fun_dc on Jun 25, 2011 1:08 PM EDT up reply actions

Norwegian Brothers Markus (left) and Steffen (right) Soberg o. (Photo by Chapin Landvogt/HF)

by sk84fun_dc on Jun 25, 2011 1:09 PM EDT up reply actions

Not at draft so for now, random internet pics will do.

by sk84fun_dc on Jun 25, 2011 1:15 PM EDT up reply actions

THN on Soberg earlier this month:

“Steffen Soberg, G – Manglerud Stars (Nor.)
Soberg parlayed a batten-down-the-hatches performance at the world under-18s into big buzz, culminating in International Scouting Services anointing him the top European-based goaltender around in its May ranking. The 5-foot-11 netminder also nabbed rookie of the year honors back in Norway’s top league.”

http://www.thehockeynews.com/articles/40812-The-Hot-List-Draft-eligible-dark-horses.html

by sk84fun_dc on Jun 25, 2011 1:18 PM EDT reply actions

This is mildly troubling...

Sunrise, sunset, swiftly fly the years. One season following another, laden with happiness and tears.

by Becca H on Jun 25, 2011 1:20 PM EDT reply actions

Who is that person?

Please not a goalie.

by Rob Parker on Jun 25, 2011 1:23 PM EDT up reply actions

Someone who didn’t make it.

by DrinkingPartner on Jun 25, 2011 3:45 PM EDT up reply actions

Pretty much.

Pleased not a goalie.

by Rob Parker on Jun 25, 2011 3:47 PM EDT up reply actions

Eh, he’s a goalie.

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by Bman21212 on Jun 25, 2011 1:23 PM EDT up reply actions

Yeah, that’s why I’m going with “mildly”. I’ll reserve full judgement for now, just found this in my searches and was a little stunned…eh. He’s also just a baby, lots of 17/18-year-olds are jackasses.

Sunrise, sunset, swiftly fly the years. One season following another, laden with happiness and tears.

by Becca H on Jun 25, 2011 1:24 PM EDT up reply actions

“He is the loudmouth asshole who hates stats and prefers to spout off and create controversy.”

—twitter guy’s auto-bio on his website

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by bilspacecadet on Jun 25, 2011 1:29 PM EDT up reply actions

Ah, excellent source! Glad I posted that here, then :P

Sunrise, sunset, swiftly fly the years. One season following another, laden with happiness and tears.

by Becca H on Jun 25, 2011 1:32 PM EDT up reply actions

Sounds like a personal grudge more than anything else. I couldn’t possibly care less about this opinion.

by TFG on Jun 25, 2011 1:30 PM EDT up reply actions

Dude’s face is totally punchable. He looks like Tyler Kennedy with a mouth to match his nose.

"Essentially, all models are wrong, but some are useful" George E.P. Box

by Knee high to a duck on Jun 25, 2011 1:40 PM EDT up reply actions

It is a bit of a pig face. But maybe he’ll grow into it.

Lacking specific evidence to the contrary, I shall blame this on Chemmy and Two Line Pass.

by CapitalCentre on Jun 25, 2011 5:02 PM EDT up reply actions

And if he ever makes the big club, he’ll be the second Norwegian player ever. I think.

We're Hüsker Dü and we're on MTV. Who are you, and what are you on?

by bilspacecadet on Jun 25, 2011 1:24 PM EDT reply actions

nah at least a few before him…

Knutsen

Thoresen

Tollefsen

I’m forgetting someone.

by sk84fun_dc on Jun 25, 2011 1:35 PM EDT up reply actions

I knew Knutsen was the first, but I thought he was the only. Spaced on the other two.

We're Hüsker Dü and we're on MTV. Who are you, and what are you on?

by bilspacecadet on Jun 25, 2011 1:40 PM EDT up reply actions

I still think Tore Vikingstad is one of the coolest hockey names ever.

"The longer I delay myself getting to the real world, the better." - Mike Knuble

by Chaz-Capapalooza on Jun 25, 2011 1:58 PM EDT up reply actions

Zucarello

Release the Mackan!

by Killer_Carlson on Jun 25, 2011 3:18 PM EDT up reply actions

Thanks!

Holos is Norwegian, as well, yes?

by sk84fun_dc on Jun 25, 2011 3:31 PM EDT up reply actions

There have been some talk about Söberg playing for Färjestad next year with their junior team. That would probably be a good thing considering that they have a good goalie coach: Erik Granqvist. Some of the players he have coached are Henrik Nilsson (Calgary), Alexander Salák (Chicago), Jonas Gustavsson (Toronto).

by Malin A on Jun 25, 2011 2:08 PM EDT reply actions

Look forward to hearing more on this, thanks for the info. The article I posted indicated his brother is making the move to Sweden for juniors.

Silly me, I never read far enough down in that article, their mother is American, interesting.

by sk84fun_dc on Jun 25, 2011 2:12 PM EDT up reply actions

Yes his brother have signed with Frölunda.
Some articles in Swedish and Norwegian.
Hockeysverige
nettavisen 1
nettavisen 2

Mike Vogel:

Will have video interview with goalie coach Dave Prior up shortly. #Caps hope Soberg heads to CHL for 2011-12. #nhldraft

In one of the interviews Söberg says that he have gotten offers from CHL clubs. But that it looks like he is staying at home.
A month later he says that he will talk it over with his agent but that he haven’t made a final decision yet and that he is very excited about FBK’s interested in him.

by Malin A on Jun 25, 2011 2:50 PM EDT up reply actions

Thanks for all the links. Yes, I saw Vogel;s tweet a bit ago; not surprising viewpoint.

2011 CHL Import Draft is scheduled for this Wed.

Just random info, but someone in Moncton posted on HFBs back in May that rumor was Moncton was interested in Soberg.

by sk84fun_dc on Jun 25, 2011 2:56 PM EDT up reply actions

If he plays for the Frolunda organization, I don’t think that’s much of a step down from the CHL (if it’s a step down at all)

Atta dinnin stick a who!

by Gould Old Days on Jun 25, 2011 4:05 PM EDT up reply actions

No surprise that the Caps would want him playing in NA where the goalie coaches could see him play and visit with him more, plus adjusting to the NA game.

by sk84fun_dc on Jun 27, 2011 9:59 AM EDT up reply actions

Yay for Norway! I always like players from the random countries.

by Jake Shapiro on Jun 25, 2011 3:49 PM EDT reply actions

While many people lump the Scandinavian countries together, mentally, it’s interesting that Sweden & Finland usually produce a lot of NHLers while there aren’t as many from Norway or Denmark.

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by CapsFan75 on Jun 25, 2011 4:18 PM EDT up reply actions

and guess which ones always go further in international competitions…

by j762 on Jun 25, 2011 5:26 PM EDT up reply actions

Though Denmark is on the rise.

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by red army line on Jun 26, 2011 3:16 AM EDT up reply actions

You should also note that Denmark only has 4000 registered hockey players and a measly 23 rinks. The fact that we have any players in the NHL at all is remarkable.

However, the small talent pool has its advantages in that everyone knows everyone. Many of the Danish players have grown up playing together. Frans Nielsen and Peter Regin are the best of friends and played on the same line for years. This sort of bond translates over to the national team, which has a team spirit unlike anything I have ever seen on another sports team. In many ways they are like a family. Everyone helps each other and sticks together

I think the main strength of the Danish players coming up is their work ethic. They have to work so hard to get noticed and recognition that it rubs off on everything they do. They know the price they have to pay in order to achieve their dream, which is to play in the NHL. Frans Nielsen is the perfect example. A lot of people think he is underpaid for the Islander at just over 500k. Frans does not. He would have signed for less, even, as long as it meant the security in knowing he could lace up his skates for NHL play every game. In that regard, money is the least of priorities.

That said, Nielsen is a remarkable person—even for a Dane. When he was called up to Ottawa the year before last, Peter Regin sold his Binghamton apartment as a message to the club that he was ready and completely dedicated. You can certainly call that arrogant, if you like. For Regin it was just a matter of putting everything on the line. That’s the kind of dedication a lot of teams are looking for.

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by Madelle on Jun 26, 2011 7:47 AM EDT up reply actions 1 recs

i still don’t get why we used our first pick on a goaltender.

in reference to the arguments above, are you seriously telling me that we don’t have a franchise goaltender among Varly, Neuvy, and Holtby? We really need to put more of them in the pipe?

by j762 on Jun 25, 2011 5:02 PM EDT reply actions

You can never have too many goalies. Keep ‘em coming and you’ll never have to worry about where you’ll get your next one. They won’t be ready for a while so it’s all about keeping a constant supply.

Pleased not a goalie.

by Rob Parker on Jun 25, 2011 5:15 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs

so there was really nothing else that the Caps could have used more?

by j762 on Jun 25, 2011 5:25 PM EDT up reply actions

Considering we traded our first 3 picks for other players, nah. We already got a good winger for next year. Anyone we draft won’t be ready for a while, so at that point it’s all about picking talent you think will succeed.

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by Bman21212 on Jun 25, 2011 5:30 PM EDT up reply actions

He’s 17 years old…goalies take a while.

by Goaliemama on Jun 25, 2011 5:31 PM EDT up reply actions

Just to be clear, we’re arguing about whether the Caps should have drafted for need in the fourth round of the draft, right? That’s what this argument is?

Atta dinnin stick a who!

by Gould Old Days on Jun 25, 2011 6:09 PM EDT up reply actions 4 recs