Erik Gustafsson - the new Timonen?

The newly signed Swedish defenseman Erik Gustafsson has come a long way despite his young age, switching Swedish junior hockey to American college hockey. His journey was rewarded with an NHL contract in the end, but the start wasn't easy.

"I wasn't happy during the first months there", he says. "I hadn't decided what I would study and I hadn't chosen any classes. At the same time I had difficulties with the language."

"But I had decided that no matter how tough it is, I would stay for a year. I hung out a lot with Greger Hanson. He had a similar background."

Gustafsson and Hanson might have a similar near future as well as also Hanson has been invited to Flyers camp this summer.

Staying through the difficulties was rewarded this spring.

"Day after the last game of the season I got a contract offer from Philadelphia", Gustafsson recalls. "They wanted me to come and play the last regular season games for their AHL team."

Gustafsson was an instant success at the AHL level, adding seven points in five games.

"It was totally unbelievable. I never expected that to happen. But I got to play on both penaltykill and powerplay and got confidence."

Gustafsson also had the chance to practice with the Flyers during their first round playoff series against the New Jersey Devils. The experience was unforgettable.

"I had my chin down the whole time and just hung around. Then I sat next to Chris Pronger in the locker room. That was really unbelievable."

Signing the three year contract with the Flyers was another moment hard to believe.

"It feels sick when I look at the numbers in the contract", he says. "But it's important not to lose your perspective because of the money as it doesn't make you any happier. It's all about hockey."

Gustafsson isn't stressing about next year.

"Even if a lot has happened, I haven't stressed about anything. I'm not stressing now either, I take everything as it comes. You don't want to think too much, just do your best and prepare yourself when the chance comes. Obviously I dream about my first shift in the NHL, but I need to get more routine first and foremost. They play 82 games in the AHL compared to the 40 I played in school."

There was another Swede on the Phantoms this season, goalie Johan Backlund.

"Yeah, we chatted a lot. We went to the movies once. He's very popular in Adirondack, he's the star of the team. He's the idol of the fans and really helped the team a lot."

Gustafsson will be back in Philadelphia on July 4 when the summer camps start. The Flyers have high hopes for him and have also told him so.

"They say they see me as their new Kimmo Timonen. I don't know what to say... laugh a little and shrug. Of course it would be cool if that happened."

Gustafsson is now closer to his NHL dream, but knows there's still work to do.

"Yeah, I'm much closer now than I was two months ago. But I know I need to get better at everything. I need to be faster and stronger, play at a higher level and get routine. I'm not stressing, but I'll be ready the day I get the chance."