Andersson Gaining Confidence After Stint With Wolf Pack

Lias Andersson has experienced every range of emotions over the last nine months.
In June there was elation when he was taken seventh overall by the Rangers, and it was followed by jubilation when he lived out his dream of playing for Frolunda in the Swedish Hockey League and watching his father's jersey get retired by the club.
Andersson served as captain of Team Sweden and scored seven points in as many games at the World Junior Championships in January, but fell just short in taking home Silver.

And it was a learning experience thereafter when he dealt with his first injury to his shoulder in the tournament that required him to rehab in New York and led to the decision to have him remain in North America and join the Hartford Wolf Pack.
But since that time, the 19-year-old has adjusted to life in the States and life as a pro in the American Hockey League, all while being away from family and friends.
"It was a lot of fun that they wanted me over here and wanted me in Hartford," Andersson told NYRangers.com. "At the same time, it was a bit hard to leave Frolunda and leave my family and friends at home and not be able to say goodbye. It was tough. Just trying to adjust to a new life over here."
But the adjustment has gone well thus far, with Andersson registering five goals and nine assists for 14 points through his first 24 games with the Wolf Pack. The center said he's feeling more comfortable with his surroundings each day.
"I'm more confident now than I was just a month ago," he said. "It's getting better and better every day."
Andersson said it's been an adjustment getting acclimated to the North American style of play that puts an emphasis on board play and battling for pucks in the trenches. In Europe, there's more time and space to make and read plays; in North America, decisions must be made quicker.
"Just got to learn that style of game and to be strong in the battles and big at picking up pucks in the corners," he said. "Just try to read the game on the smaller ice surface and be sharp when the chances are there. I have to try and create scoring chances for my teammates."
Wolf Pack head coach Keith McCambridge said he and his staff expected there would be a learning curve when it came to the smaller ice surface, but that Andersson has shown that to become an asset of his.
"The strength that he has with his board work in the offensive zone, protecting pucks, being hard to play against with regard to those 50/50 puck battles is a real strength to his game," McCambridge said.
Off the ice, Andersson said the move from Sweden to Hartford isn't as drastic as one may think, with the obvious caveat of not being able to speak Swedish to anyone, not even teammates.
But Andersson has the benefit of having spent time in the United States as a child while his father, Niklas, spent time as a player in the NHL and the AHL, including a short stint with the Islanders the season after Lias was born.
"I've been here a lot growing up. My parents lived here, so I'd been in the U.S. a lot, which makes it a bit easier," Andersson said. "I know the culture and stuff like that. It's pretty similar to Sweden.
"There's big adjustments on and off the ice," he concluded, "but it's been great so far. It's been a lot of fun."
Andersson has developed a strong friendship with fellow 2017 first-round pick Filip Chytil, with the two spending time together, especially on the road where they are roommates.
The Swede has often been described as a leader, and despite Chytil being just a year younger than him, Chytil said he too looks up to Andersson as someone to lean on.
"I like him. He's a very good guy," Chytil said of Andersson. "We spend almost every day together. I was very happy that he joined us in January. He plays very well. The team has been much better with him because he's a leader. He's 19 years old, but he's a very good leader. I like to watch him."
Despite Andersson being one of the youngest - and newest - players on the squad, McCambridge, too, sees leadership qualities in him.
"Players when they come in are usually quiet at the start. They get a feel for what the room is, how the group meshes together. Lias has done that, but it's been accelerated that now when we're in small group meetings or when we're watching video, he's not afraid to give his input and that's a good thing," McCambridge said. "He's here to learn and you can see those leadership qualities come out in those small group meetings. You can see it also in his practice habits. He wants to be one of the players in the upper percentages that is practicing the right way."
Andersson said he hasn't thought about a call up to the Rangers, as his sole focus is on helping the Wolf Pack. But if and when the time came, he'd do what he's always done and just play his way.
"I'm just focusing on the Wolf Pack right now," he said. "If the Rangers want to call me and want me to play, I'll go out there and play my game, same as I do here and same as I did last year. Just be strong on pucks and try and win the game for my team."