Bratt Mentoring Fellow Swede Holtz I BLOG

It's not surprising that 19-year-old Alex Holtz gravitated toward a player like Jesper Bratt.
The first reason being their background - each was born in Stockholm, Sweden. The second being the common language. Although Holtz speaks English fluently, it's always best to communicate in one's native tongue. And both have the same approach to the game, even with differing styles.
"I'm more of a shooter. He's more of a playmaker," Holtz said. "He skates a lot, does a lot on his edges. But we both like to play an offensive game so that's kind of similar."
Bratt, though still young himself at the age of 23, is a veteran on the team with four years of NHL experience under his belt. And he, as well as the rest of the "older" players have done their part in shepherding the youths.
"It's mostly about making them feel comfortable," he said. "Making them understand what it's like being here every day and making sure you're the best version of yourself every day. That's the advice we try to give them to help them to prepare and know what it's like to be here and know what mentality that we want to have here. Hopefully they feel welcomed and bring whatever they're good at."

Bratt's tutelage of Holtz has gone beyond the game as the two have formed a genuine bond in their short time together.
"We've been hanging out a lot since we both got back here and try to talk as much as possible," Bratt said. "He comes over for dinner or lunch once in a while."
Talking as much as possible includes after Wednesday night's preseason game, a game in which Hotlz scored a beautiful goal, added a smartly read and executed assist and a decisive shootout tally in a 5-4 victory at Washington.
"It was awesome seeing him out there in a game and taking those shots that he's here to (take)," Bratt said. "It was an awesome goal. When I talked to him after the game, he seemed pretty happy with his performance. So, it's going to be fun seeing him moving forward."
What Bratt loved most about the goal, other than the shot itself, was the fact that Holtz didn't opt to pass to linemate Jack Hughes, who was alongside of him on a 2-on-1 rush.
"I was hoping he would take that shot, and him being comfortable in those situations to trust his instincts," Bratt said. "I saw the whole situation. He trusted himself to take that shot. Those are the things we need him to do. It was good seeing it go in, and everyone hopefully knows now what kind of shot he has."
As the season continues, you can count on the two Swedes continuing to build their friendship, and for Bratt to continue helping Holtz in his burgeoning career.
"He's helped me a lot," Holtz said, "and I hope he'll do it the whole way, too."