The Courier & Advertiser (Fife Edition)
Stars will benefit from experience of Swedes
Pacha looks for leadership from reunited pair
Omar Pacha is hoping two experienced Swedes will bring leadership to the Dundee Stars this season.
The head coach has re-signed Johan Andersson for a second season and tightened things up at the back with the addition of netminder Pontus Sjorgen.
Pacha said: “I am happy to have Johan and Pontus. They know each other and they bring great leadership. They are two good people, two good players and two good team-mates.
“I think with Pontus’s experience you can tell he is a winner. You can see in practice how good he is. We have a really solid goalie.
“Its early days but we are looking forward to seeing him in action.”
After a hard season during which he and the whole team battled injuries, Andersson is back and ready to make the most of a second chance.
He said: “I feel good and I am very happy to be back, the team looks good and we have a good group of guys.
“I am very excited for this upcoming season and it was an easy decision to come back.”
Andersson believes experience will settle the group.
He added: “To be honest we are not that young this year. We have a couple of young guys, a couple of older guys like Pontus and myself.
“It will bring some experience and some calmness to the locker room as well. It is a good mix of young and old. We look good so far.”
On the Swedish reunion, Andersson said: “It is going to be fun. It was 15 years ago we last played together.
“I think we have both changed a bit over the years, but it will be fun to play with him again and I am very happy he is here.”
Sjorgen said: “I wanted to try something new. I played my whole career in Sweden.
“I heard a lot of good stuff about the league and of course Johan was a big influence, and after a good talk with Omar and Johan I felt like this is something great and I want to try it.”
As well as performing well personally, he hopes to pass on some good habits.
He said: “Experience is always good and for me I just want to bring good habits every day and help the younger guys. If I can help something with my experience it will help the team.”
He added: “Of course it is going to be different. It is another type of hockey that is similar to Canadian/US style but so far I think I am going to adjust to the game.
“I think I am going to jump into it fast and if you work hard every day it will pay off.”
Stars kick-off their pre-season friendlies tomorrow against German opposition EHC Freiburg.