Linus Söderström

Linus Söderström
Born (1996-08-23) 23 August 1996 (age 28)
Stockholm, Sweden
Height 6 ft 4 in (193 cm)
Weight 198 lb (90 kg; 14 st 2 lb)
Position Goaltender
Catches Left
SHL team
Former teams		 Skellefteå AIK
HV71
Ässät
NHL draft 95th overall, 2014
New York Islanders
Playing career 2014–present

Linus Söderström (born 23 August 1996) is a Swedish professional ice hockey goaltender. He is currently under contract with Skellefteå AIK of the Swedish Hockey League (SHL).

Playing career

Söderström was contracted by Djurgårdens IF in his native Sweden, playing at the J20 SuperElit level when he was selected by the New York Islanders in the 4th round (95th overall) of the 2014 NHL Entry Draft.[1]

After loan assignments in the HockeyAllsvenskan with Södertälje SK, Almtuna IS and HC Vita Hästen, Söderström left Djurgårdens IF without a senior appearance, agreeing to a one-year deal with HV71 on April 11, 2016.[2] Söderström made his SHL debut on October 1, 2016, making 30 saves on 31 shots in a game against Skellefteå AIK.[3]

On May 11, 2017, Söderström was signed to a three-year, entry-level contract with the New York Islanders.[4] He was returned on loan by the Islanders to continue his development and tenure with HV71 through the first year of his entry-level deal in the 2017–18 season.

Söderström moved to North America for the remaining two years of his entry-level contract, however his development was stalled through injury, limited to just 4 games with ECHL affiliate, the Worcester Railers, in the 2019–20 season.

As an impending restricted free agent from the Islanders, while still harbouring NHL aspirations Söderström returned to Europe to relaunch his career, agreeing to a one-year contract with Finnish outfit, Ässät of the Liiga, on 31 July 2020.[5]

Personal life

Söderström was diagnosed with autistic spectrum disorder and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder at the age of 7.[6]

Awards and honors

Award Year
SHL
Best GAA (1.34) 2017
Le Mat Trophy (HV71) 2017 [7]

References

  1. ^ "Islanders select G Soderstrom and Toews". lighthousehockey.com. 28 June 2014. Retrieved 28 June 2014.
  2. ^ "Linus Soderstrom new goalkeeper in HV71". HV71. 11 April 2016. Retrieved 11 April 2016.
  3. ^ "Statistik - SHL.se". Swedish Hockey League. Retrieved 11 October 2016.
  4. ^ "Soderstrom agrees to entry-level deal". New York Islanders. 11 May 2017. Retrieved 11 May 2017.
  5. ^ "Assat announced squad changes" (in Finnish). Ässät. 31 July 2020. Retrieved 31 July 2020.
  6. ^ "Islanders goalie prospect Linus Soderstrom plays with Aspergers and ADHD". lighthousehockey.com. 18 December 2015. Retrieved 18 December 2015.
  7. ^ "HV71 wins championship" (in Swedish). aftonbladet.se. 30 April 2017. Retrieved 30 April 2017.