Eriksson Enjoying Himself Again
by
Jeff Parzych
Anders Eriksson’s hockey resume is pretty impressive. He played for the legendary club MoDo has a teen back in his homeland Sweden. He was drafted in the first round by the Detroit Red Wings. He even has hoisted Lord Stanley after helping those same Red Wings win the cup back in 1997-98.
Since then this very talented Swede has fallen on some hard times. Traded by two different NHL clubs in two seasons, Eriksson attempted to resurrect his career by signing with Toronto as a free-agent back in 2001. After two disappointing seasons, which were largely spent in Newfoundland as a member of the baby Leafs, Eriksson asked, and received his release from Toronto.
He landed in Columbus this past training camp and his play warranted an offer of a two-way deal from the Jackets. Realizing that in today’s NHL, with labor conflict looming, jobs are often hard to come by, Eriksson happily accepted the opportunity.
“I just want a chance to come back and play,” stated Eriksson. “I had a good chat with Doug MacLean and I respect him, he is an honest guy and he is going to give me a shot to play as long as I work hard down here.”
That process started this past weekend when the Crunch kicked off the 2003-04 campaign Saturday night with their home opener against the Hershey Bears. Eriksson, despite arriving in town late Friday evening, was on the ice and he even scored the first goal of the year for Syracuse.
“I felt pretty good and excited,” said Eriksson. “I get to play again and it has been a while.”
Being out on the ice competing also reminded Eriksson of why he started playing the game in the first place.
“It’s fun. It is always fun to play hockey,” Eriksson said. “I think that is what I realized in the last year or so is to go out and have fun.”
The veteran defenseman remained in a jocular mood when questioned further on his first period tally. “I hope I am not setting too high a standard for myself,” quipped a smiling Eriksson.
Head Coach Gary Agnew knows that winning is also fun and that should be made easier by adding a player of Eriksson’s caliber.
“Eriksson is a great player. He moves the puck well, has great size, plays well away from the puck,” said Agnew. “He is a great addition.”
Agnew also added that for the time being, Eriksson’s arrival, along with the presence of rookie Aaron Johnson, gives Syracuse a very formidable blue line.
“Add Eriksson to Rohloff, Scoville, Cull and Traynor and you have five pretty veteran guys,” said Agnew. “I also thought Aaron Johnson had a great night.”
The Wait is Over
This time it is official. Brandon Sugden is a member of the Syracuse Crunch. After weeks of deliberating, rampant rumor spreading and one missed game, the Toronto native has been cleared and will be eligible to play this weekend for the Crunch.
The team announced today that they have signed the left wing to a professional tryout agreement, ending all the speculation surrounding the Crunch’s newest enforcer. Sugden’s signing could not have come at a better time with the Crunch scheduled to take on two clubs this weekend known for engaging in a little rough stuff in the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins along with long-time rival, the Rochester Americans.
Sugden’s presence should also lead to increased sales at the box office this weekend for Syracuse. The 25 year-old carries with him an almost legendary presence in hockey circles and what he does in his first stint with the Crunch is surely something no fan will want to miss.
To make room for Sugden on the Crunch roster, Syracuse sent rookie left wing Janne Jokila to Dayton of the ECHL.