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Roope @pikkuroger Bergström, has despite his young age risen quite fast towards the top of competitive virtual hockey talent and is definitely one of the rising star players in the Elite division. The young man has played competitive NHL since the release of NHL 16, when he mainly participated in the 1v1 game mode. The 6v6 game mode became more familiar a few years later. Since then, he has begun to invest more time into competitive NHL. “My first memories from 6v6 games are back from the ECL 10 Lite season, when we gained a Pro promotion with a team called HUIPPUPASSI. It was really my first ECL season and I got to play with two very good friends (Joel @jjokke19 Rinne and Mika @Mikax222 Haverinen) and a dynamic father-son duo (Timo @Aitis Kähkönen and Viljo @viba2008 Kähkönen). It was an amazing season in every way.” Although Bergström has been playing competitive console hockey for a long time, the greatest success is yet to be achieved in both game modes. Bergström currently plays both game modes, however, he admits that he enjoys playing 6's a bit more. The 6vs6 game mode has become more meaningful these days, which is why it takes up more time. "In the 1v1 game mode, one of my fondest memories is back in last years FCL when I reached the Top 8-stage and came just short of beating eventual champ Arttu @Artuzio Mustila. At that point, I started to realize that I could start challenging the top in the 1v1 mode. In turn, in the 6v6 mode my first Elite season felt really good and I managed to prove myself against the best players in that environment". "Right now, I enjoy the 6v6 game format more. It’s just more fun to play when there are nice teammates and there’s no artificial intelligence mixing on the field. Previously, I disagreed and thought that 1v1 was more meaningful to play, but when I started 6v6 properly and got to play on good teams, the mind has changed over time. I look forward to my first LAN events, I think that’s where those best memories will be made." Bergström continues. When asked, Bergström states that his ultimate goal is to win a bigger tournament and possibly become a professional at a later stage. The young man states that he enjoys a good burger, a hot shower and listening to music before the games. Perhaps that's where his skill comes from? We also wanted to reach out to some old and new teammates of Roope, and when asked about the youngster, Jere @jergelii Jortama responds: "Roope is willing to evolve every day, definitely wants to be the best in the game in the future. He's a hard worker and spends a lot of time practicing the ins and outs of the game. You can also see that he wants as many tips as possible from the more experienced players and knows how to change his own style of play if required in any situation. Outside of the ice he's a nice and funny guy." Captain Kristian @kriketski17 Veijola chimes in on the praise and confirms that Bergström truly does his due diligence on the practice rink and is a motivated individual when it comes to reaching the top. As customary, we asked Bergström about his top 6 team, without any of his current teammates on the roster. The team named by the young man did not bring any big surprises, as there are names familiar to even the general public. LW: @Buantso Able to decide games by himself and create opportunities from nothing. Has that X-Factor in tight playoff games when someone has to be the hero. C: @Beniittto A really skilled player.. A lot of experience although he is a younger guy. Deserved MVP of last season's playoffs. RW: @Eki An inconceivably good player, really is a complete allrounder that can help his team in any situation. LD: @xDoumi A great puck moving defender and he has experience despite his young age. RD: @loimmu A perfect example of a great defender, no weaknesses and solid all around. G: @ICappeI A good experienced goalkeeper with a tremendous ability to read plays. When asked about the opportunity to switch roles with any specific player on his own team, the youngster didn't hold back on praising his captain. "If I had to choose someones skillset from my own team then it would be @kriketski17. He's a good captain and otherwise a really complete player that has great skill. Krike sees the ice really well and is really good in his center position, it's easy to flank him on the wing." Outside of playing, Bergström goes to school and spends a lot of time with friends. He doesn't really play other games outside of NHL. He used to play football since the age of 4, but quit a few years ago due to lack of motivation. In addition to being Roope's old teammate, @Aitis is the General Manager of esports organization GOONS and is the mastermind behind the operation as a whole. He sees a bright future for the young man: "From day one, it was evident that we're getting a very ambitious and already skilled player in Roope. He's also humble and has that drive to push him forward onto great things. Next season he'll fight among the big names for the title of best forward in Elite." We're certainly seeing a great player in development and have the privilege to watch him closely as GOONS currently pave their way towards the playoffs in the FCL. They'll also continue their momentum in the Elite division next season, so make sure to keep your eyes peeled!

NHLGamers, we are back with another article in our "Player Spotlight" series. There are many talented and highly skilled players in the German community that are worthy to take closer look at. In our second article we are proud to present you Kevin @Keuschemisch Berg, assistant captain of noRex Gaming and member of the NHLGamer writing staff. 1. When and why did you start playing EASHL in NHL? I started playing EASHL in NHL09 with friends from school. In the beginning we used to play with 3 or 4 players and the remaining positions were filled by bots. At some point in time Patrick @RPH_31 Braun messaged me if I was interested in joining his club. And so I joined my first 6v6 club, the so called "German Bulls" where Stefan @Toews19 Schoierer (BarriosLucas18) and Mario @Laurentius Schneeweis (Larphox) played, too. Since then BarriosLucas18 and Larphox were part of every team I played in. 2. What are your highlights in your EASHL career so far? One of my first highlights was making the playoffs with the "Eisbaeren Regensburg" in GCL 4. Especially since the team was fighting in the relegation zone of the league before it was a great accomplishment to make the playoffs and participate in the quarterfinals after winning our series in the pre-playoffs. On the international virtual ice it is the promotion to ECL Pro twice. After losing the quarterfinal series in ECL 10 Lite against HUIPPUPASSI (now Goons; 3:4) it eventually was enough to secure a spot in ECL 11 Pro. And obviously our silver medal in ECL 12 Lite and gaining promotion straight back into the second highest league on European level. Individually one of my strongest seasons was ECL 10 Lite where I was able to secure a place among the leagues top 10 scorers in the regular season (30GP: 33G + 53A = 86P) and playoffs (16GP: 22G + 23A = 45P). On top of that I was able to secure the top scoring title in RCL 8 Pro for EHC Traktor Chelyabinsk (22GP: 36G + 35A = 71P). In 1v1 I secured the 2nd place in the eDEL (official German Championship of the German Hockey League DEL) where I felt short to @Timasy in the finals. In the Gaming World Championship 2021 I managed to get into the Top 64 on PS4 in Europe. 3. What are your personal goals and long term objectives in 6v6? Personally I want to develop my playing style in 1v1 and be more consistent. In the next eDEL and GWC I would like to confirm this years performances and get into the finals respectively Top 64. My main focus is on 6s with noRex Gaming. After our promotion back to ECL Pro we want to establish ourselves in the league and prove ourselves that we belong to Europes Top 48. We have a young, talented and highly motivated roster that is always keen on learning and developing which is one of our biggest strengths. Staying in the league and denying the qualifier tournament will be our main goal in ECL 13. 4. What is your favourite dish? Himmel un Äd (translated: heaven and earth; typical dish from Cologne: mashed potatoes, apple sauce and black pudding). 5. If you could create two teams, one for the ECL (only non German players) and one for the GCL, what starting six would you put together? You can only choose one player from your own team. ECL Team: LW @FlyerKungen - C @Beniittto - RW @Eki LD @Lehmannens - RD @loimmu G @ICappeI In the offense we have three of the most dangerous and individually skilled attackers in ECL Elite. @FlyerKungen normally plays on the right wing but considering his skill and experience I can imagine him performing on the same level on the left wing. You do not need any explanation why I put @Beniittto and @Eki in my offensive lineup after the last seasons. @Lehmannens is extremely fun to watch and his scoring touch would improve any team in the scene. Especially his 1v1 abilities are one of the reasons why I like his style of play. With @loimmu we probably find the best RD of ECL Elite in my team. As well as the best netminder of the world: @ICappeI. GCL Team: LW @IDangledYouOut - C @PlaymakerSJ - RW @Timasy LD @Franky__2768 - RD @Toneee9 G @Fightlocke3 In the offense we find the three most skilled players in the community. @Toneee9 is naturally a LD but I would really like to see the combination of him and @Franky__2768 - especially offensively. @Fightlocke3 took a great development in the last two seasons. It is worth to mention that he started playing NHL in the summer of 2020 and already is on a very good level. Surely one of the rising goalie stars in the German 6s scene. 6. Have you ever played hockey in real life? I never played icehockey but I always played street- and rollerhockey with friends. In contrast to virtual hockey you won't find me on the right wing but between the pipes. 7. Would you rather be an average hockeyplayer or the best EA Sports NHL player? I'd rather be the best player in EA Sports NHL. 8. What is your favourite memory in real hockey? I have two moments stuck in my mind: My favourite team in real life are the Kölner Haie (Cologne Sharks). My first game in the Kölnarena was a 7:1 victory over the Hamburg Freezers in 2004. As well as the overtime win in the playoffs 2008 against the Adler Mannheim. Philip Gogulla scored the OT GWG after 168 minutes. The longest game in the German league to date. 9. What are your hobbies and what are you doing in your free time? If there was not a global pandemic right now I like to follow the matches of my favorite football team FC Cologne. On top of that I connect two passions: football and travelling, the so called "Groundhopping". I try to visit as many stadiums of different clubs in as many different countries as possible (I watched over 650 games in almost 300 stadiums in 24 countries). 10. Pizza with or without pineapple? Obviously without. 11. If you could listen to only one song for a whole day while playing NHL, which song would it be? Wasted Penguinz - Wide Awake (special shoutout to @esdor) 12. What's the story behind your PSN ID? It is the village where I grew up in local dialect. 13. Who is the best ECL (non German) and GCL player? ECL: Erik @Eki Tammenpää GCL: Tim @Timasy Hess 14. How do you spend your vacation? As mentioned in the answer to question 9: travelling to different countries and visiting different cities and stadiums. 15. High-scoring game or OT drama? Definitely OT drama (with the better end for my team). 16. Do you have any rituals before league games? Our goalie Christian @Fightlocke3 Schubert, LD Christian @GERxVillain Ungeheuer and me always hit the practice rink and take some shots, breakaways and simple passes to warmup and prepare for the matchup. 17. What's your conclusion about ECL 12 and how do you compensate the departure of IDangledYouOut? I am extremely proud of what we accomplished in ECL 12 Lite. We failed in the Pro qualifier just by a small margin so we were very determined to earn instant promotion back to ECL Pro. The way how we managed to win our group and dominated in our playoff run until the finals is really something we can be proud of. This season helped our young team a lot and we can take a good development from that and mature as a whole team. IDangledYouOuts experience and individual class helped us massively in reaching our goals. But I am very confident that we find an adequate player who will fit perfectly into our team. I think that nearly any player in the world can be replaced by good chemistry within a team. 18. What are your goals for ECL 13 and GCL 8? As mentioned earlier before we want to maintain our spot in ECL Pro and prove that we belong to the Top 48 in Europe. It will be our second season on Pro level and everyone of us matured a lot. On top of that every player improved individually which makes us a way better team compared to ECL 11 Pro when we had to pay tuition in many situations. For GCL 8 we want to confirm our semifinal appearances from the last seasons. Maybe we will be able to take the next step and get into the finals for the first time.