Axel Holmstrom conducted a rather lengthy interview with Kuriren.nu's Jimmy Landstrom, and here's a rough translation thereof:

"There was a lot of talk, but I try not to get too comfortable or satisfied. I don't want to fall back and be safe, but instead, I want to find new goals to strive for. I try to put it behind me, but of course it was an extremely fun thing. Too bad we couldn't win in the end," says Holmstrom to Norrbotten's Kuriren.

Axel Holmstrom scored 18 points (7 goals and 11 assists) in 15 games in the SHL-finals when Skelleftea eventually lost the final series against Vaxjo 4 games to 2.

The brthers Daniel and Henrik Sedin scored 14 points apiece in the 2000 playoff as juniors. 15 years ago, the record broke. By an 18-year-old from Moskosel outside Arvidsajaur.

Ice hockey/Skelleftea. He broke through with a bang last season. Now, Axel Holmstrom discusses his earlier efforts, #96 in Detroit and Skelleftea's hard pre-season training.

He has hockey in his blood. As early as two years old, he took his first skate in Moskosel, and then his career continued in MG Hockey and before the age of 13 he moved to Skelleftea.

"My father was an old hockey player and my grandfather as well. I tested and then it sunk in. It's been a pretty damn fun trip," he says, gazing out over the parking lot outside Skelleftea's Kraft Arena.

Already in seventh grade, he stood at a crossroads. Move to the coast and bet on hockey or remain at home. His own choice was easy, but it was for the family to set up, too.

"We lived in Arvidsjur, the whole family, and when it came to making a decision, I lay behind the physical part. I decided that I wanted to move already in grade seven, two years before the hockey school. I was a bit too young to move myself, and then asked my father, and he got a job in Skelleftea and moved with me. I'm very grateful for that and for my mother who lined it up so we two could pull away," says Holmstrom.

"Those two years were terribly important to me. I had to work up with the other guys before the hockey school. Extremely important."

How could you be so single-minded in grade seven?

"To live by hockey came from a gut feeling. It's been my dream since before grade seven to play for Skelleftea AIK and hopefully get even higher up."

"Skelleftea sent me into a good class at Norra Hammar. There were guys there who'd trained in Skelleftea and I came out well and ended up in a real hockey class. I talked a lot with Lars Marklund and also received al ot of help from dad."

When we meet Axel Holmstrom it's a typical day in Skelleftea's preseason training. The club and physiologist Stefan Thomson don't want transparency and we aren't allowed to go with them.

But Axel Holmstrom recounts: "Today we had shared cardio. Some guys ran 800 meter intervals up on Vitberget, some biked up the mountain, some did cross-fit in the gym. It's specifically divided into what they think you need. It was tough today, but I'm going in and running a quickie again soon."

"Sebastian Aho puked three times, and Elias Edstrom had trouble on the other path..."

In 2014 Axel Holmstrom was drafted in the fifth round by the Detroit Red Wings. When he went to the NHL team, there was a given number for him--#96.

"Holmstrom is very big over there. Jersey number 96 hung in my place when I got there. I didn't choose it for myself. Some fans had opinions as to whether I had the right to wear it or not. I had to explain that it wasn't I who chose. The jersey was there, the coaches thought it was a fun thing and they called me, 'Little Homer.'"

You're not related?

"No, I was actually born in Pitea [as well], but I'm not related to Tomas Holmstrom."

What can you give as tips for other young players to keep their feet on the ground?

"I've thought myself to not get too comfortable or satisfied. If you stop caring and such things then it will take a stop and then you won't be happy when you get older in any case. I have very good help from parents and friends. Then, apply common sense. My dream wasn't a good playoff, but my dream is to play my whole career at as high a level as possible."

And dad is now with Lulea Hockey? [Skelleftea's rival]

"Yes, that's right. He started as a coach here in Skelleftea for the class that graduated before me, but he got a great offer from Lulea two years ago. I was older and had moved into my own apartment. It's fun for him, but there are little disputes between us sometimes. But it will pass."