Every August since Peter Forsberg and Markus Naslund introduced it in 2002, a summer hockey team dubbed the "Icebreakers" has toured Sweden, raising money for sick children. Traditionally, the tournament has been used to showcase Sweden's hockey gods from past and present and bring fans together for a good cause. It's also utilized by Swedish hockey players as a way to connect with their fellow countrymen from the NHL and to prepare for the upcoming NHL season.
This year, Oilers prospect Magnus Paajarvi-Svensson debuted on the Icebreakers team along with youngsters Victor Hedman (TBL) and Jacob Markstrom (FLA). They were joined by SEL sensation and NYR product Mats Zuccarello-Aasen and NHL stars Nicklas Backstrom, Henrik Sedin, and Daniel Sedin. Also leading the team are Swedish legends Peter Forsberg and Markus Naslund. They just finished their tour, playing against "all-star" teams containing some pretty prominent names themselves - Mikael Backlund (CGY prospect), Nicklas Sundstrom (former NHL legend), and others have been part of teams that have competed against the Icebreakers.
Here is a clip of the aforementioned players warming up before one of these games. Paajarvi shows off some SICK moves, as does Backstrom.
Anyways, the reason why I find this semi-important is the fact that Paajarvi received an opportunity at such a young age to practice and spend time with some of the best players in the game - some of whom may have been his idols as he grew. I've always heard rumblings of him spending time with Naslund and Forsberg in the off-season to improve his shot and stick-work - and now we know it has happened. He probably learned tons from them and the likes of Backstrom and the Sedins.
Although it's a relaxed, non-physical tournament, hopefully the experience has helped prepare MPS for the upcoming NHL season and his first training camp.
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