Joel Lundqvist second candidate to Swedish MVP award

02 Nov 2011 | Fredrik Pålsson

As previously reported here on eurohockey.com there is a new format for the Swedish MVP award Guldpucken (the Golden Puck) with candidates nominated during the season, Joel Lundqvist is the second candidate.

Guldpucken is awarded to the player that has been most valuable in Elitserien and the Swedish national team. This year nine candidates will be nominated before the winner is selected.

The first candidate was Linköping's Carl Söderberg, the second candidate is Frölunda's center Joel Lundqvist, the twin brother of New York Ranges goalie Henrik Lundqvist.

"Joel Lundqvist, 29 is of the main reasons to that Frölunda is a top team in Elitserien. He is seldom the most talented player on the ice but there is seldom someone that works harder than him. He is a classic hockey worker that make the same hard work all over the ice. He really personifies what is depends to be a captain and leading player in an Elitserien team. His hard work and high level of play has also well deserved given him a spot on the Tre Kronor roster again. For his efforts during October, the Swedish Ice Hockey Association and the newspaper Expressen has nominated Joel Lundqivst as the second candidate for the Guldpucken award.

"It was a bit shocking...what should I say? Of course it's very honouring. I'm pleased with my season, I'm given the confidence to play much and I'm pleased with how I've been working on the ice", says Lundqvist. "It's very fun to play with Jari Tolsa and Magnus Kahnberg again. We build our game to work hard for each other. I'm very glad that has worked out so good as it has done, but we need to continue to work hard to remain successful.