Thomas Steen represented only the Winnipeg Jets during his long NHL career and he was known as a dependable two-way center - an excellent team player who wasn’t scared of the physical side of things. The same description applies to son Alexander. The centerman carrying the captain’s “C” can’t boast with his size, but doesn’t hesitate going into the corners or battles in front of the net.
He has picked up enough skills during his youth to deke his opponents. You wouldn’t call him a speedster on ice, but he has plenty of speed to keep up with the competition. Versatile is the one word that describes Alexander the best.
The WJC tournament was an important for Alexander to show his skills to the members of the Leafs organization in the stands. He started out great, but especially his offensive play suffered as the games progressed. Steen’s responsibility for Sweden’s offensive game was inhumanely large. Sweden played with a good attitude and work ethic, but besides Steen they just didn’t have any forwards up to the task at hand.
Steen was responsible for too much of the team’s playmaking and scoring, resulting in his level of play beginning to fall towards the end as Sweden’s chances of success evaporated. Steen commented on his own play before the deciding game against Slovakia.
- I haven’t been able to score enough goals and that has reflected on the team’s success. I’m always satisfied in my own game if my team wins - so right now I’m not happy.
An underachievement at the WJC probably left a pretty big bone to pick for an emotionally strong Steen. That should spell good things for hockey fans in Gotehnburg when spring comes around.
One of Elitserien’s young leaders
Steen has managed to break through to star in the Swedish Elitserien despite his young age. The youngster orchestrates Västra Frölunda’s, one of the league’s top clubs, third line, centering promising Jens Karlsson and workhorse Jonas Esbjörs. Before the WJC’s Steen was sixth in scoring for his team. Alexander is pretty satisfied in his own play for the Indians this season, save for same uneven play that’s usual for a young guy.
- I started out the season pretty well. I slipped a little bit during the way, but in the last games before leaving here I got my grip on the game back. I’ve been luck to play with great linemates the whole time. I’ve had a lot of help in my own game from both of them. Overall I’m satisfied in my development this season. On top of that, it’s been a lot of fun to play this season.
Steen seems like a winner, and he’s used to winning. His resume boasts three championships the last three years. 2001 and 2002 ended up with Frölunda winning Sweden’s Jr. A trophies. Last season he hit the jackpot with the men’s team as Frölunda won the Swedish title after a long break. Steen’s sights aren’t set any lower this season.
- We have a good team, and we’re going to be in the thick of things - battling for the championship.
Long ways to go to Toronto
Steen’s showings during his junior years convinced the Toronto Maple Leafs’ scouts. The Swede was picked in the first round with the 24th pick. Toronto has kept a close eye on Steen’s progress, but the attention hasn’t bothered Alexander so far.
- Toronto hasn’t been in that much contact with me so far. I’ve talked to their scout in Sweden a couple of times, but that’s all.
Before the start of the season NHL teams invite players to see a glimpse of the NHL world and meet the faces made familiar only on TV at their camps.
- I was in Toronto’s camp for two days before the start of the season. I didn’t get to play for them, but I got to practice with the first team a couple of time. On the whole the experience taught and motivated me a lot.
Even though he’s pretty hyped up in the Swedish press Alexander knows that isn’t yet time to talk about making the jump to the NHL.
- I’m not thinking about my NHL career at the moment. I’m focusing on what I’m doing in Sweden and at this tournament. Concentrating on what you’re doing is hard enough without me thinking about the NHL. After the season is over it might be a good time give some thought to it.
- I won’t deny that it springs to mind from time to time - you wonder if you’d be ready for it. Toronto’s camp was a big thing for me in that retrospect also. I got to tsee how far I’m behind the guys playing in the NHL.
The Leafs have three excellent centers at the moment: Sundin, Nieuwendyk and Reichel. Sooner or later the time will come for them to step down. Then everyone will turn their gaze towards the prospects, led in the center column by Steen. Jarkko Immonen who was quickly risen to stardom in the SM-liiga is another name to follow, and someone who’s been noticed in Sweden also.
- I know Jatkko. We were together at Toronto’s camp and I met him again at the Karjala Cup, I think he was the best player of the tournament then. He’s an excellent player with speed and skill. It was nice to play with him at camp.
Winnipeg, my home town
For a Swedish youngster, Steen’s background is interesting to say the least. He was born in Winnipeg, Canada and the teenager from Gothenburg still refers to the city as his home town.
He started playinh hockey in Winnipeg, with none other than Brady Murray. Brady is of course part of the US team and the two battled against one another in Hämeenlinna. The boys were best of friends and team mates back in their childhood in Winnipeg.
- I lived in Winnipeg the first 12 years of my life, so the city still has a special place in my heart. A lot of my good friends still live there. Though, nowadays I feel more Swedish than Canadian.
When young Alexander was only twelve years old the Steen’s moved to East Berlin where his father played pro hockey after his NHL career was over. The family settled in Sweden when Alexander was already fifteen. Coming to his home country seemed comfortable for Alexander.
- Life in Sweden was a lot different than what I had experienced up until then. We hadn’t lived in Sweden, save for the summers. I felt right at home none the less pretty quickly, in part because I liked the style of hockey.
If and when the young Steen will make the move across the Atlantic, his Canadian roots will probably make the transition easier?
- Maybe it would make some things easier for me. Not so much on the ice, but things outside of it would be easier for me than some other European player my age. I know the language and Toronto isn’t that far from Winnipeg. My background probably won’t help getting used to North American hockey, maybe I’ll be more at home in the smaller rinks but that’s it.
Your father’s great career in the NHL won’t probably hurt either?
- Yes, I’m sure it won’t hurt me, his career in deed was great. I hear the comparisons all the time because my style is pretty similar to his. I’m trying to make my own career and my own name, not just be the son of a legend.
The WJC this year features a lot of second generation players, names like Steen, Nilsson, Parise, Bergenheim - the list goes on. It can’t be just coincidence that the young stars of today are the sons of the stars of the past.
- I’m not sure about that. Of course it affects when you grow around hockey. Our fathers have helped us a lot, they know the game inside and out. As a child your interest towadrs hockey was that much bigger because your dad was a great star.
Being the son of a former great isn’t all good, the weight of expecations hangs heavy on these kids. So how does young Alexander cope with the weight of carrying on the Steen name?
- I can’t speak for anyone else, but I’ve talked to Robert Nilsson (son of Kent Nilsson) about it, and he doesn’t give much thought to it - the same as me. When you’ve grown up with it, you learn to accept it. The father-son -connection isn’t so important to us as it is to the media and the fans. We are our own personalities, even though our fathers were hockey greats.
Alxeander Steen faces a very positive outlook for his hockey career. The kid’s positive attitude shows as he’s thankful for everything that he’s received and experienced in hockey so far.
- I’m just a young guy and I’ve gotten to experience and see a lot. My life so far has been of full great experiences.
