Miracle roster signs with Djurgårdens IF

NHLGamers,

It’s a great day as we have the pleasure of announcing the eSHL roster of Djurgårdens IF, historically the most successful hockey club in the Swedish national league. The club hailing from Stockholm has today announced a contract with the former Miracle roster.

Miracle, alike Djurgårdens IF is a team with a long history of playing at the top competitive level. in the past couple years, they’ve been playing under several different names, but the teams core and captain has remained the same as long-time community member Kimi @Zip player Nordberg has been the man in charge ever since the club was founded as White Trash in 2016 for ECL 3. The team saw decent success in the Pro division for a few seasons, but managed to have a breakout in ECL 6, where they reached the semifinals and finally ended up in a relegation faceoff against Nordic Stars. After a wild series, a promotion was reality and the team would compete at the Elite level from that point onward. ECL 9 was fairly good for the team, who struggled in the beginning but after a few timely acquisitions found their stride. Some minor changes will happen in the roster:

“We’re making some changes to the lineup and will be playing with a tighter roster than before. The main change is that we’re bringing in Nico @nylanderi Laitinen on the starting spot at LD.” - Captain @Zip playeron roster changes for the eSHL

One of the other leading forces behind the team is another pioneer and personality in our community - Mattias @iSvamp Björck, whom we reached for some comments about their new eSHL endeavor.

Do you have any DIF fans in your ranks or past connections to the team?
“@amadee21 has been working as a game reporter for Djurgården Hockey and has ever since he was a kid been a big fan. I know he always dreamed about playing for Djurgården in SHL, and now he gets that opportunity opportunity on the virtual ice, which I’m really happy about."

"My own connection to DIF started back in 1997 I think. I'm a guy who watches a lot of live hockey, and I saw my first Djurgården game in 1997 against Färjestad. Since then, I’ve seen them both in playoff games in SHL, in the relegation series which earlier were called "Kvalserien". I think by now I’ve seen them play against every SHL team except Luleå and Oskarshamn.“

How does it feel to finally ink this deal and in that being solidified as eSHL participants?
“It feels really good! This league has been a big topic in the community lately. I'm one of the guys that have rallied behind the statement that two ECL tournaments per year isn't enough for this game, and this community needs more competitive tournaments to actually become a valid Esport. To now have signed a deal with Djurgården Hockey and to get the chance to play in eSHL, with our own roster from Miracle representing this big Swedish club feels really good. We are also one of the teams that isn't using any loan players from other top clubs, which will make it interesting to see how far it can take us in this league, and also how much it will help us for the upcoming ECL 10 which still is the big thing. It will also be interesting to see how it will go for the clubs that have done local tryouts now when we have so many Elite teams like Linköping, Färjestad, Luleå and us."

Who are the teams to beat this upcoming season?

“Linköping without a doubt. They signed a complete roster from FILA, a club that has solidified their spot in the European top 3 for quite some time already. Behind them, I believe it’ll be really tight. Luleå had a great season in this ECL, they also showed some lineup depth and good management when they changed their lineup in the series against Roots, which took them to the semis. Färjestad has boosted their lineup with a defenseman from HAVU, and Vesa Pompa (Malmö) from PRO has loan-deals with maybe two of the best forwards in the world right now (Dominointi and Flyerkungen), which will make them a better team for sure. I also think that Växjö will be a team that can win games against every team in the league, their signing of eBasse is a good one and I really think he will fit their style. Linköping will probably get a perfect record, and the key games will be against the teams I mentioned above.”

Djurgårdens IF Hockey

Djurgårdens IF is one of the largest sports clubs in Sweden and with that one of the most recognizable ones too. Hailing from the nations capital Stockholm, they are currently the hockey pride of their city as dear rival AIK is struggling and not currently competing at the top level. Djurgården is the team with the most championships in the history of the Swedish national league (16), out of which the latest was won in 2001.

The start date of the eSHL is closing in on us, so expect even more news coming up soon! Please also read Djurgårdens own press release here.