Swedish players suit up for Tigers

From Stockholm, Hampus Engzell and Robert Ahlander have arrived in Halifax and joined the Dal Tigers hockey team. (Nick Pearce Photo)

Tigers’ head coach Pete Belliveau has added two hockey standouts from Sweden to the roster for 2008. Robert Ahlander and Hampus Engzell both of Stockholm, Sweden have arrived in Halifax and are set to suit up for the Tigers this season.

Ahlander, a blue chip defender who has represented his country in the World Junior Championship in 2005-06 played in Sweden’s Super Elite League with Sodertalje in 2006-07 and last season played with Vasby Hockey, a Division l team. Coach Belliveau is looking forward to what Mr. Ahlander will add to the black and gold, "Robert will bring lots of stability to our defensive corps; his international experience and skating skills will help us tremendously with our power play and defending our opponents top lines; we're very excited to add Robert to our program."

Hampus Engzell, has also played at a very high level in his hometown of Stockholm, playing both Division 1 (Ska IK) and Super Elite (Sodertalje). "Hampus is a very great skater with good forechecking skills; he'll be an excellent asset to our penalty kill," stated Coach Belliveau.

Both are eager to begin the academic year at Dalhousie and to start skating with the Tigers. “I am very excited to come to Dalhousie and to play hockey at university. I am really looking forward to combining hockey with university studies,” said Mr. Ahlander, who is enrolled in Dalhousie’s Arts program.

The Tigers begin their season with an exhibition tournament at UNB on September 19 and will host their regular season opener on October 17 when they face StFX at 7pm at Memorial Arena. For season ticket information please call 494-1304.