Los Angeles choose Samuel Fagemo will not get ignored anymore

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Handed over within the 2018 draft, the Swedish scorer took the snub as motivation and got here again with a depraved season. The Kings simply grabbed him within the second spherical of the 2019 draft and now they have fairly the expertise on their arms.Samuel Fagemo|Metropolis-Press through Getty ImagesCruise the current rosters of the Frolunda Indians and also you’ll discover a number of constants: Joel Lundqvist is one, whereas a smattering of high-end children are the opposite. The SHL squad all the time has a pleasant veteran scoring presence because of gamers like Henrik Lundqvist’s twin brother and imports corresponding to Ryan Lasch, however the group additionally offers kids an opportunity to shine. And boy, have they.
Over the previous few years, Frolunda has graduated expertise corresponding to Rasmus Dahlin, Erik Gustafsson, Artturi Lehkonen, Andreas Johnsson, Lias Andersson, Jacob Larsson and Carl Grundstrom. And so they haven’t suffered within the standings, both.
With a title in 2018-19, Frolunda has now received two of the previous 4 SHL championships and the Gothenburg-based squad hasn’t missed the playoffs since 2010-11. Placing a steadiness between profitable and creating makes Frolunda a super group and one of many newest gems to be honed there may be left winger Samuel Fagemo.
Handed over within the 2018 NHL draft, Fagemo took out his frustrations on the SHL this previous season, with 25 factors in 42 video games – however extra importantly, 10 factors in 16 post-season matches. The Los Angeles Kings ended up nabbing Fagemo 50th total at this 12 months’s draft, assuring he wouldn’t be ignored once more.
“For certain there was loads of motivation for me to point out the scouts within the stands that I may very well be drafted too,” Fagemo stated. “I’m super-happy to get drafted, lastly.”
Realizing fellow Kings prospects Grundstrom and Jacob Moverare from Frolunda already will assist Fagemo get a way of what the group is like, however Los Angeles didn’t want a lot convincing that the left winger will likely be a match: they signed Fagemo to his entry-level contract simply weeks after the draft.
“Samuel is a high-energy participant who scores targets,” stated Christian Ruuttu, the Kings’ head European scout. “He’s fearless with regards to attacking the web. We favored him loads final 12 months too and he has improved his recreation since.”
One of many causes Fagemo was handed over in 2018 was his protection; there has by no means been a query about his scoring expertise (he lists Filip Forsberg and Alex Ovechkin as two of his NHL favorites, in spite of everything). Rounding out his recreation was a precedence for him this previous season and operating via the gauntlet of each the SHL playoffs and the European Champions League (which Frolunda additionally received the title in) actually helped.
“It’s arduous to win within the playoffs,” Fagemo stated. “It is advisable be ready daily and keep targeted. You need to win each battle and play full, 60-minute hockey. It was an ideal expertise to have a protracted playoff run and at last win the championship. It was an ideal reminiscence for all times.”
If there was one downer to the 2018-19 marketing campaign, it was Sweden’s efficiency on the world juniors. Coming in with a powerful group – although not loads of high-end forwards exterior of Fagemo and Columbus choose Emil Bemstrom – the Swedes have been good early, however then obtained hit by a abdomen flu that ripped via the workforce in Victoria. Then they couldn’t rating in opposition to the Swiss within the quarterfinal and have been despatched dwelling early, which means this system has nonetheless received simply two gold medals within the historical past of the event – first in 1981, then once more in 2012. Nonetheless, Fagemo was more than pleased to symbolize his nation.
“It was simply enjoyable to go there and play hockey,” he stated. “It was a troublesome loss in opposition to Switzerland within the quarterfinal, however that’s hockey typically.”
Fagemo remains to be eligible to play on the 2020 world juniors, the place the Swedish offense seems to be much more harmful. Prime 2020 draft prospects Alex Holtz and Lucas Raymond will probably be on board this 12 months and so they might make an enormous distinction.
Within the meantime, Fagemo will head again to Frolunda, the place as soon as once more the Indians will trot out a nicely-balanced group (Raymond can also be a part of the group). So what’s the key?
“Nice services, nice coaches and nice followers,” Fagemo stated. “It’s good to develop there and it’s an ideal hockey metropolis.”
 
Tags: draft, l. a. kings, prospectsConnect: Concerning the AuthorRyan KennedyRyan Kennedy is the affiliate senior author and draft/prospect knowledgeable at The Hockey Information. He has been with the publication since 2005 and in that span, Don Cherry, Lil Jon and The Rock have all referred to as his home. He lives in Toronto along with his spouse and youngsters the place he listens to loud music and collects NCAA pennants.