HockeySverige.se is a great website for all things related to Swedish hockey. They managed to get hold of Max Friberg after the trade sending him to the Montreal Canadiens in exchange for Dustin Tokarski . Here is a rough translation of the interview, with both Friberg and fellow Swede Jacob de la Rose:
“Montreal is one of the coolest places in the league to get to play,” Friberg starts out. “I am not really sure how my thoughts went after hearing I was traded,” he said with a laugh.
“It was almost a shock, you don’t think it’s true, you don’t think it will happen to you. Then you try to figure out what you need to do, but I am happy as Montreal is one of the coolest places in the league to play hockey in.”
“I had no idea it was even being discussed. I heard about it yesterday morning. I was at practice, and was summoned by Anaheim Ducks‘ GM, Bob Murray, who told me I had been traded. Marc Bergevin called me five or ten minutes later, so you could say it went extremely fast.”
Friberg has earned praise for his play for the San Diego Gulls during the season, and the coaches have given him added responsibility.
“We have a very talented team down here, unfortunately we have had some troubles with injuries that has let me take on an added responsibility. That has added to my skills, and I feel I have grown as a player and as a person. Being an alternate captain has added to that development”.
Friberg is not deterred by his limited chances to play in the NHL, only seeing action in five games for the Ducks this season. “No, I can not say I am disappointed, as things stand it comes down to the fact that I haven’t been good enough. I always do my best in AHL and you hope to get called up again, but that’s easier said than done. It’s a bit of politics, and at the same time Anaheim has an extremely talented squad. There are plenty of good young talented players in San Diego as well, so competition is quite high.”
How was your experience in the NHL this season?
“It felt good. In some of the games I barely played more than 4-5 minutes; it makes it difficult to accomplish something. But I played about 15 minutes against San Jose and I got to be on the ice at the end of the game, so overall I felt really good.”
The Jacob de la Rose factor
“It will be great with another Swede in the organisation,” says Jacob de la Rose. “We are a young and inexperienced team, but we’re very talented, I will try to make sure he settles in, and likes it here. His style of play fits us perfectly.”
“I haven’t spoken with de la Rose yet.” said Friberg. “We don’t know each other as we haven’t played together, however we have played against each other when he was in Leksand and I played in Timrå. I can’t say we have met anywhere else, but it will be great getting to know him.”
What do you have for expectations in regards to the rest of the season?
“I have to go there and really give it my all, as to show my best side. The goal is to earn a chance in the big club. I want to show them my value, and this is probably what the organisation wants as well. You are happy when a team wants to trade for you, and you don’t want to disappoint them.”
You are leaving sunny California for the snow in Canada, will you not miss the sun and the warmth?
Friberg laughs, “I have nothing against moving, it is hockey season so it should be a bit cold and involve some snow.”
