While the Niagara Men’s Hockey team are currently just 11-17-5 overall, then have shown a great deal of improvement from their couple of seasons. Freshman sensation Ludwig Stenlund is huge reason for that.
Through 34 games, the native of Skelleftea, Sweden leads the team in goals (19), and is second on the team in points (32). Stenlund leads all NCAA Division I freshmen in goals (19), and goals per game (.56).
The transition from any other country to the United States is never easy, particularly for athletes. Stenlund admits his transition from playing in Sweden to playing NCAA Division I hockey was not without certain adjustments.
“It’s a smaller rink,” Stenlund mentions. “You have to be faster and more physical.”
While Stenlund seems to have made the adjustment to the new level of hockey just fine, a lot of it is because of the coaching hes had. Stenlund has high praise for Head Coach Jason Lammers.
“Coach Lammers is probably the best coach I’ve ever had,” Stenlund stated. “He cares about his players not just in a hockey way. He knows everything there is to know about hockey.”
While the team is still building towards getting above. .500 this season, it’s clear that not only are they moving in that direction, but that Stenlund will be a catalyst in doing so over the next few seasons.
“The team has been great from the start, and over the season we’ve gotten better and better,” Stenlund explained. “We just have to play the way we do. We want to go go to the Frozen Four.”
The Purple Eagles are projected to begin Atlantic Hockey Tournament play on Mar. 8.
Picture courtesy of purpleagles.com.
Statistics as of February 25, 2019.
Niagara Wire 