Having won the inaugural Swedish Championship League back in 2019, Vesa Pompa came back to defend their title in last year’s SCL – crowning a successful campaign by defeating Northern Ascendancy in Game 7 of the 2020 finals. Many assumed the team would be going for the so-called “Threepeat”, but here at NHLGamer.com we can confirm that Vesa Pompa will not be the champions of SCL 2021.
But the team is indeed back to try and defend their title.
While we’ve had several Swedish sports associations join our ranks in NHL esports, today we welcome our very first Swedish esports organization as Granit Gaming has signed the Vesa Pompa roster for SCL and future tournaments.
Abbreviated GG, Granit Gaming was founded in December of 2017 by owner Kim “KMF” Engström. Still owned and operated by Engström, Granit is an international organization with players from all over world that feature teams in games like Heroes of the Storm, League of Legends, Super Smash Bros, Overwatch, PlayerUnknown's Battlegrounds (PUBG) – and now NHL.
“We’ve been involved in around 50% of all competitive games in the last few years and have had several different team outlooks; including female teams, academy teams, “stream teams” and others”, says Engström to NHLGamer.com.
“Competitively, our best result is finishing 4th in the world.”
With a background in the world of pro sports playing competitive tennis, and with a massive interest in hockey and the National Hockey League, Engström spent a long time looking for the right fit to enter NHL esports with Granit Gaming.
He found it in Vesa Pompa.
“When I got in touch with Johan (@Lehmannens) and Henrik (@Eken45jr), I immediately felt like I had found the right fit. I know the individual skill these players possess, and I know the roster we’ve put together has potential. My message to all my teams and players is the same; go out there and have fun, knowing you’ll have the full support of our organization regardless of the outcome. As for our first tournament together – the SCL – the players and I agree that a top-4 spot is a reasonable goal to have.”
Team captain Johan Lehmann:
“It’s a tremendous honor to be able to partner up with such a well-established and professional organization as Granit. It’s been a fun ride under the Vesa Pompa banner, and I can’t imagine a better way to continue that journey than with Granit.”
“Our main objective is to establish a solid team foundation and a long-term partnership with Granit. Naturally, we’re competitive people who always want to win – so our goal will obviously be to compete for titles in the tournaments we enter. We’ll do everything in our power to defend our SCL title.”
Suiting up for Granit Gaming in SCL 2021 will be three former Farjestad BK players, three players from Vesa Pompa’s ECL 12 roster and a “familiar” netminder.
“I’m very happy with our roster composition. We’ve gathered players who share the same mindset, with qualities that complement each other quite well. There’s a bond of friendship, a willingness to grind the game, youthful exuberance, and plenty of experience”, says Lehmann.
“My long-time friend, partner in crime and assistant captain @Eken45jr is one of the most skilled forwards around and has proven time after time that he is at the very top of both 6v6 and 1v1. My other assistant captain, @l-Furyan-l, is unmatched in terms of experience – a prototypical two-way defender with an offensive edge.”
Hampus @l-Furyan-l Duvefelt (A), Johan @Lehmannens Lehmann (C) and Henrik @Eken45jr Eklund (A).
“Additionally, @antoniomannen004 has come into his own as a top Elite forward through sheer determination, hard work and talent. @dzouvi has exploded on to the scene in recent tournaments with his impressive skill, elusiveness and creativity from the center spot. @Thunborg5 is a uniquely calm goaltender with the valuable trait of being at his best when the games mean the most. @LastMandalorian is back between the pipes and will be an important part of the puzzle with his competitiveness and drive to succeed”
Granit Gaming is also set to enter the NHL 1v1 competitive scene, with announcements to follow next week on which players have been added to the organization's 1v1 roster.
You'll be able to see the team in action for the first time tonight, as they take on HockeyProfessorn HC tonight at 21:00 CEST, the games will be streamed at www.twitch.tv/eken45jr.
If you want to support the latest esport organization to join NHL gaming, you’ll find Granit Gaming in these locations:
Twitter (https://twitter.com/granitgaming)
Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/granitgaming/)
Twitch (https://www.twitch.tv/teamgranit)
TikTok (https://www.tiktok.com/@granitgaming)
Homepage (https://www.granitgaming.com/)
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