| 16 September 2011
It's not often that one finds a native of Sweden in the Bruins' system; it's almost as infrequent as finding a hockey player who's finished college in one fell swoop. Somehow, newcomer Calle Ridderwall manages to embody both of these rareties.
Ridderwall, a native of Stockholm, Sweden, graduated from the University of Notre Dame with a degree in Finance. He says that college was never about just hockey; Ridderwall valued his education as well, and it played a big role in choosing where he spent his pre-professional years.
Ridderwall looks on before starting a drill at Bruins Rookie Camp on Thursday, September 15, 2011.
"I've always valued my education a lot," Ridderwall said after rookie camp on Thursday morning. "I was always very interested in the business part, the business world in education so I feel like being able to play hockey on that level while at the same time getting my degree in Finance was a combination I couldn't pass up."
The 22-year-old Ridderwall spoke highly of his time at Notre Dame, noting that "whenever we were in town we went to all the football games...obviously just being in [South Bend] is pretty special, they take care of you like you're their own. Everything is really professional, obviously it's school but you can definitely get overwhelmed at how they care for you, at how much they want you to succeed at what you do whether it's hockey or it's business or whatever field you're in. It was really a great honor to be there."
The well-rounded forward, who served as an alternate captain in his Senior year, made two NCAA tournament appearances with Notre Dame over the course of his time there: a trip to the Frozen Four finals came after Ridderwall scored in overtime to beat Michigan in the semifinals in 2008, where Notre Dame eventually lost to Boston College. A second trip to the Frozen Four came in Ridderwall's Senior year, as the Fighting Irish beat Cinderella-story Merrimack in OT, then UNH in the regional finals before losing in the Frozen Four semis to the eventual champion UMD Bulldogs. Ridderwall, for his part, contributed a power-play goal and a shorthanded goal in the three tournament games in 2011.
"It was great, we had a nice little run there," said Ridderwall of this year's appearance. "It was pretty comparable to my first year, we weren't expected to be that good. Obviously going up to New Hampshire for the regionals, anything could happen, and that's what it did. I know from experience that when you get to the tournament, you know, anything goes - it's about the team that's going to get hot at the right time, and it's pretty exciting that we managed to time it perfectly. Getting another Frozen Four experience was great."
Ridderwall will take part in Bruins main camp this week, skating under the watchful eye of Providence coach Bruce Cassidy and the Bruins' brass. He's been sorted into group A, where he'll work with the likes of NHLers Gregory Campbell, Patrice Bergeron, and Shawn Thornton - all of whom could help add to Ridderwall's hockey repertoire before he inevitably reports to Providence in the AHL. Although his goal in this, his first NHL training camp, is to make an excellent first impression on the Bruins' staff, Ridderwall remains refreshingly realistic on his probable destination this year.
"I want to show the management what I can do, and playing down in Providence I want to make sure I contribute to that club, make sure we're special down there. At the same time I want to learn to be a professional hockey player, it's a big step going from college to being a pro player, so. I think it'll be a bit of an adjustment, but [my goal is] for next summer to be able to look back and see that I've adjusted well and that I'm comfortable in the pro role."
While some speculation has been made as to why Ridderwall chose the AHL over returning to play in the SEL, Ridderwall, who grew up supporting Hammarby IF of the Allsvenskan league, and whose cousin still plays in the SEL, was very adamant about the reason for his decision.
"Being in the AHL, you're closer to the NHL, the best league in the world. I've been dreaming of playing in the NHL since I was a little kid, and I feel like being in the AHL you're a little bit closer, where going back [to Sweden] I'd probably play in the Elite league and then come to the AHL after anyway. I felt like this was the best route...it's a good league to play in to accomplish my main goal, which is getting to the NHL."
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