One on One with Lias Andersson
Joe Fortunato Note: Hey guys, here’s the other surprise for you. Patrik got a chance to talk to Henrik Lundqvist and Lias Andersson. The Lundqvist article went up last week (see it here) and this one is the next surprise. Enjoy!
Lias Andersson had a strong season with HV71 last year, ending it with becoming champion in Sweden and lifting the Le Mat trophy. After a season where Andersson had 19 points (9+10) in 49 games in the regular season and five points (4+1) in 16 play off games he took the step to return to Frölunda a club he grew up in the locker room of thanks to his father Niklas Andersson and his uncle Mikael Andersson both NHL players during their own hockey careers. One of the reasons that Lias choose HV71 for his development was to get away form what might be considered pillars of the “new” Frölunda foundation and the pressure it might bring. Returning after a successful season in HV71 meant he had created his own legacy, even if it seems Lias will only play a few games in Champions Hockey League before joining the New York Rangers.
Lias has found himself usually centering the second line in the practices I have watched, his play is strong and skillful, and he has more than once finished with accuracy on a shot or a deke as when he scored on Lundqvist. Henrik Lundqvist laughed and said Lias missed the deke and it went in, but he looked surprised to see “the kid” he knew form the Frölunda locker room score with such ease.
Lias took a few moments to give us an interview that you can listen to in full bellow: