Vejdemo: From Stockholm to Montreal

MONTREAL - After three full seasons in the Swedish Hockey League, Lukas Vejdemo is eager to start the next chapter of his career on this side of pond.

On Tuesday, the 22-year-old centerman departed Scandinavia and made his way to Montreal to begin getting accustomed to his new home ahead of Rookie Camp, which opens on Thursday, September 6th at the Bell Sports Complex in Brossard.
He has since been training at the Canadiens' practice facility alongside fellow prospects and NHL veterans alike.
"I'm feeling ready. You have to take that next step at some point. It's a good time for me to take it now," said Vejdemo, who registered 10 goals and 22 points in 47 games for Djurgarden last season. "The Canadiens also said that they wanted me to come over, so that really pushed me to come."

Next week, Vejdemo will suit up in game action for the first time on Quebec soil as the NHL Rookie Showdown 2018 gets underway on Friday, September 7th at Place Bell in Laval.
The event will give fans a chance to get a first-hand look at Vejdemo and fellow Habs hopefuls against top prospects from the Ottawa Senators and Toronto Maple Leafs.
"It's going to be really cool. I've only played against other guys at Development Camp before, so competing against guys on other teams will be fun," said Vejdemo, who signed a two-year entry-level contract with the Canadiens in early May. "I'm excited to show what I can do. I think it's going to be fun to see the difference in the game here with the small ice surface."
Vejdemo is chomping at the bit to play. Back in Sweden, his former mates have already begun their Champions Hockey League campaign, so the youngster is a tad jealous.
"When all the other guys on the team and your friends have started to play and you're just walking to workouts, it's not as fun," mentioned Vejdemo with a laugh. "It's been a long summer, so I'm excited to be here now and get going."

When the Rookie Showdown does finally get underway, Vejdemo plans on keeping things simple.
"I'm just going to play my game. It's a lot of skating and moving the puck with high speed and making good passes, too," affirmed Vejdemo, the Habs' third-round pick - 87th overall - back in 2015. "I think I have good hockey sense. Hopefully, I can use my tools well."
While securing a roster spot with the big club is a top priority, it should come as no surprise that the soft-spoken Swede is taking things very much in stride.
"It was a dream of mine to play hockey, so you want to reach your goals - and one of those goals was to play in the NHL. Maybe I'll start in Laval, but just to come here and play for a club is going to be really cool," explained Vejdemo, who expects his father, Roland, and sister, Rebecca, to visit him in Montreal come Christmas. "Now, I'm closer to that dream. I've worked hard for it."