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WINNIPEG — Alfons Freij could say he’s back to where it all started when he was just a child — playing hockey on the other side of the globe.

At the Hockey For All Centre in Winnipeg, the Jets training facility, the 18-year-old defenseman from Sweden, who was picked by the Winnipeg Jets in the second round (No. 37) of the 2024 NHL Draft, felt right at home as he participated in the development camp on the ice.

Freij reminisced about his childhood hockey team’s intercontinental trip to Canada, sharing, “Back when I was just 9 years old, we participated in not just one, but two tournaments here in Winnipeg. Those couple of weeks were filled with so much fun and excitement. It truly was an amazing experience for all of us.”

After the draft, Freij’s father reposted a picture he had captured of his son during the tournament back in 2015. This image was then shared on Instagram by Winnipeg’s social media team, cleverly placing Freij’s current pose in the exact same spot almost ten years later.

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Freij and his childhood teammates were filled with dreams of making a comeback after witnessing NHL players up close.

“We wanted to be there (in the NHL) one day. That was one of my goals,” said Freij, who now stands 6-foot-1 and 187 pounds. “My buddy Herman Traff got drafted to [the] New Jersey [Devils] (third round, No. 91, 2024), he was on the same team as me. One of my teammates at home, Joel Svensson, was drafted by the Chicago Blackhawks (fifth round, No. 138, 2024). It’s pretty fun to see those boys getting drafted as well.”

It’s hard to fathom the surreal experience of being selected to play for the same NHL city you once visited as a child.

“Draft day was a bit of a blur when Winnipeg called out my name,” Freij reminisced. “It felt like a dream turned into reality. It was an incredible experience, truly amazing. Being a part of the Winnipeg Jets is something truly unique and special.”

The day after the draft, Freij flew directly from Vegas to Winnipeg.

According to Kevin Cheveldayoff, the general manager of Winnipeg, there has been talk about his exceptional skating ability and his experience playing in Europe. However, when he joins our team, we become enthusiastic about the potential opportunities that lie ahead for him.

During the previous season, Freij showcased his skills predominantly in the J20 Nationell, the junior league of Sweden. With Vaxjo, he accumulated an impressive tally of 33 points (14 goals and 19 assists) across 40 games. Furthermore, in the playoffs, he contributed three points (two goals and one assist) in five matches. Additionally, Freij played a vital role in Sweden’s triumphant journey at the 2024 IIHF Under-18 World Junior Championship, where he notched six points (two goals and four assists) in seven games, ultimately securing a bronze medal for his team.

Describing his style of play, he stated, “I am a defenseman who excels both defensively and offensively. My focus lies in generating scoring opportunities by possessing the puck. Additionally, I possess a formidable shot, in my opinion.”

Freij has been anticipated to participate in the upcoming season with Bjorkloven of HockeyAllsvenskan, which is Sweden’s second-tier professional league. He acknowledged that his game requires further development.

He mentioned, “I want to emphasize my defense, and of course, my offense too. However, I plan to increase my physicality as well. Since I’ll be competing with men next year, I intend to utilize my body more. I have decent size, so I want to make the most of my physicality.”