Leaderboard

Today, we've got an interesting interview with a young champion, who has quickly taken his place among the very best of talent in both the 6v6 and 1v1 game modes. Henrik @Eken45jr Eklund has won a lot, but is still on the hunt for his first European Championship. Despite his young age, Henrik @Eken45jr Eklund is a very experienced player in competitive NHL esports. Over the years, he has won a combined six Swedish Championships in the 1v1 and 6v6 game modes. In fact, he's won every SCL tournament organized thus far by NHLGamer. He was also the inaugural champion of the Bolts Chel Challenge in the 1v1-mode.  The way Eklund tells it, hockey has been close to his heart ever since he was a child. He thinks back to getting his first ever NHL game as a Christmas present at a very early age, after which there's been no looking back.  "I’ve been a massive hockey fan for as long as I can remember. I believe I got my first NHL game as a Christmas gift and since then it’s been a no-brainer to get the game every year. NHL has always been my main game but I really enjoyed FIFA back in the days as well."   Even though Eklund has been playing the NHL series games for a very long time, it was only a few years ago that he switched into a more competitive mindset and started practicing harder. "I think my first NHL was NHL 06, so I was 6 years old. I’ve owned every game since then. I started to play competitively at the start of NHL 19 so I’d have to say that the Capitals Esports Faceoff is one of my first and best memories from playing among the best in the world, it was really cool earning that trip there." "At the start of NHL 19 I was starting to figure out that I was pretty good at the game and, well, I’ve always loved to compete. So after the first tournament I felt like this is something I really want to continue doing", Eklund states.  Eklund is very successful in both the 1v1 and 6v6 game modes. We asked the Swedish winger which of the game modes he thinks is more exciting to play. "I enjoy both game modes but I would say that 6v6 is my favourite. The feeling of team play and winning together with others is amazing and something you don’t really get when playing 1v1. I would say that my main strength in both game modes is my hockey IQ." Earlier this year, the youngster won the Bolts Chel Challenge tournament in the 1v1 game mode. He also mentions the first SCL championship back in the spring of 2019 when we asked for his best memory in competitive NHL. "My best memories while playing competitively is either winning the Bolts Chel Challenge earlier this year, or the first Swedish Championship we won with Vesa Pompa at the LAN-event in Uppsala a few years back." When preparing for a big matchup the theme of calming yourself with a walk and some good music, that we've seen with other players in the communty, continues with Eken. When looking back at his first appearances in the 6v6-scene, it brings to mind a special journey with a squad all new to the format. "Our first Swedish Championship with Vesa Pompa holds a special place in my memory. The players were all new to the 6v6 scene and had created a team with all the top 1v1 guys from Sweden. We were just playing ECL for fun on the side of 1v1 before the SCL got announced and when it did, we decided to go for it. We brought in Erik @Eki Tammenpää, who was a big help and taught our team the basics of playing 6s. We started to grind the game a lot and eventually we managed to win the whole thing". As is customary with our interviewees, Eken got to name his top 6 - and the squad sure has some talent:   Left wing: Paul @PleeMaker Arontie - One of, if not the best goal scorers in the scene. When he’s on his game he’s unstoppable.   Center: Erik @Eki Tammenpää - In my opinion the most complete player there is. Can play any position, very good on both ends of the ice and has great hockey IQ.    Right wing: Tuukka @FlyerKungen Kuha - A very smart player who is very reliable on both ends of the ice. Also has that offensive upside and can decide games on his own.   Left defenseman: Aaro @xDoumi Ruuhinen - One of the premiere defenders in the game. Especially in the ECL 12 finals, that was the best performance by a defender that I’ve ever seen.   Right defenseman: Aleksi @loimmu Loimuvirta - Unmatched at the RD position. Outstanding two-way defender who rarely makes any mistakes.   Goaltender: Casper @ICappeI Lundgren - His experience and tournament success speaks for itself and also having the ability to always play his best game when it matters the most. That'll be it for this time - let us know in the comments section who you'd like to hear from in the future!