Maple Leafs defensive prospect Timothy Liljegren was four years old when he first picked up a hockey stick. He was drawn to the sport after watching his neighbours and brothers play the game in his hometown of Kristianstad, Sweden. He played forward until he was six when his coach moved him to the blue line.



“When I first played (defence), I was kind of pissed,” Liljegren said. “When you’re younger, you always want to score goals, to be a forward, it was kind of easier to score goals.”



After a few games at his new position, Liljegren began to enjoy playing from the back half of the ice. He learned that you could still have an offensive touch, you just needed to be a better skater.



“I enjoyed it, gaining speed to move up the ice,” he said.



Liljegren’s skill was evident as he wrapped up his first Leafs development camp on Wednesday. Selected in the first round, 17th overall by the Leafs in last...