Kumpulainen, Fredén Ericsson form dynamic scoring duo to lead potent U15 offense
Over the course of a 4-1-1 record at the 2023 U15 Nordic Youth Trophy, Sollentuna HC managed to find the back of the net 45 times. Accounting for 10 of those goals were Victor Kumpulainen and Olle Fredén Ericsson, who finished first among Sollentuna skaters in total points with 15 and 14, respectively. As a result of their consistent play-making and scoring touch, Sollentuna was able to solidly defeat Färjestad BK in the gold-medal finale, 5-0.
Both players overcame slow starts to the tournament, with neither of them able to find the scoresheet in the team’s first three games. All that changed in the final game of group play against the Ullensaker Flyers. Just over a minute into the first period, Kumpulainen struck for his first goal and point, assisted by none other than Fredén Ericsson. Not finished there, Kumpulainen would add on four additional goals and two assists in the contest. Fredén Ericsson joined his teammate by collecting six more assists and a goal before the game’s end. 15 points between the two in what was a 23-1 rout.
In their first semifinal game against No. 3 Täby HC, the two forwards picked up right where they left off. Kumpulainen’s one goal and two assists and Fredén Ericsson’s three assists propelled the club to a 6-1 victory and a spot in the championship game. Not daunted by the task at hand, the scorching attack of Sollentuna was once again driven by their two stars. Kumpulainen added four more points to his total, with Fredén Ericsson notching a goal and two more assists in a 5-0 shutout, securing the Nordic Youth Trophy.
Fennrup’s play in net backstops championship run
Suiting up in four games, including the final against Färjestad, Elias Fennrup finished the tournament as the top goaltender. In the four contests he saw action, Fennrup faced 98 shots, 97 of which he stopped. His best performance came against BIK Karlskoga, where he managed to post his second shutout by making 48 saves.
Not finished there, he stopped all 25 shots in the championship game for his third and final shutout of the tournament. Fenrrup’s partner in goal, Alex Sarenfält, manned the pipes in two contests, with one win.
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