Olofsson looks forward to more ice time against Anaheim

Fredrik Olofsson has put the work in.
The native of Sweden came to North America as a teenager in hopes of making it to the NHL, so after a nine-year journey, it's been a rewarding few weeks for the big forward.

Olofsson made his NHL debut last week and then scored his first NHL goal on New Year's Eve. As the Stars have shuffled around players in hopes of finding the right fit, Olofsson seems to be a player who could stay in the lineup.
"First off, well deserved," Stars coach Pete DeBoer said after Olofsson scored his goal. "Honestly, he could've scored every game he's played, he's had some grade-A chances. He's done a good job. And that lifts your bench."

Olofsson has eight shots on goal in four games and is playing about 10 minutes a night. The 26-year-old is definitely showing that he fits in at this level.
In addition to scoring his first goal, Olofsson got to play in Minnesota, where his wife is from. His parents came over to watch and he got to spend some key days with family and friends.
"It's been a lot, but it's been nice that it's happening quick," he said. "I don't have to think too much. I just get to go out there and play my game. The guys on the coaching staff have done an amazing job of just letting me come in and be me, so I'm just grateful."
That's sort of how the goal happened. Olofsson charged the net down the left wing, and Joe Pavelski put a perfect pass on his stick for a bang-bang play. As the team went into a wild celebration, the scrum of Stars jerseys slid over to the corner in front of a group of the players' children who were watching the game. The kids were banging on the glass and celebrating as well, helping create a magical moment for everyone.
"It's hard to put into words," Olofsson said. "When it happened, you're not even thinking, I'm just screaming."

Olofsson came to the United States in 2012 and played three seasons in the USHL. This led to a four-year stint at the University of Nebraska-Omaha. He met his wife there and briefly started his career in the Blackhawks organization, but he eventually returned to Sweden for two years. Last summer, he decided to come back to North America on a one-year deal with the Stars, and he has 12 points in 28 games with the Texas Stars this season.
It all finally led to a call-up to the NHL and some of the most memorable moments of his life.
"Long time in the making," he said. "I've had a plan since I left college to get back here. My wife, my family have sacrificed a lot for this. So, it's for them. I've got a lot more in me too, so I'm excited to see what comes next."
Key Numbers
Plus-25
Stars forward Joe Pavelski ranks second in the league in plus-minus at plus-25. Former Stars defenseman and current Anaheim blueliner John Klingberg is minus-23, sixth worst in the league.
4.11
Anaheim ranks last in the NHL in goals against average at 4.11 per game. Dallas ranks fourth in scoring at 3.56 goals per game.
5
California native Jason Robertson has 5 points (4 goals, 1 assists) in four games against the Ducks, including a hat trick in the only meeting between the two teams this year.
He said it
"I'm probably going to feel a little bit weird, but I'm excited. I just want to go hard against him. He was one of the closest guys on the team for me, and I think he helped me a lot. We played almost the whole time together, so great bond. He's a great guy and I miss him a little bit."
- Stars defenseman Esa Lindell on meeting former teammate John Klingberg for the first time in a game on Wednesday. Klingberg left the Stars and signed as a free agent with Anaheim in the summer. He was out the first time the two teams played.
Expected lineup
Robertson-Hintz-Pavelski
Benn-Johnston-Marchment
Kiviranta-Seguin-Dellandrea
Olofsson-Faksa-Glendening
Heiskanen-Lundkvist
Lindell-Hakanpää
Suter-Miller
Wedgewood
Oettinger
This story was not subject to the approval of the National Hockey League or Dallas Stars Hockey Club.
Mike Heika is a Senior Staff Writer for DallasStars.com and has covered the Stars since 1994. Follow him on Twitter @MikeHeika.