Inge Hammarstrom is a Canucks scout now? That's pretty cool, he was Philadelphia's head of European scouting for a long time. He was the one who pushed them hard to pick Forsberg well ahead of where he was projected to go.
EDIT: I guess Philadelphia fired him last year.
EDIT2: Here's what Gradin says about Rodin:
Quote:
"They're picking teams now, not just coaches who want to have the best players," said Gradin. "Before, nobody wanted to work and nobody wanted to forecheck -- and now we're the hard-working Swedes."
Rodin, 18, falls into that category. The 5-foot-11, 174 pound Stockholm native had 55 points (29-26) in 37 games for Brynas in the under-20 junior elite league.
He also played six games for Oskarshamn in the second division of the men's elite league and will play for Brynas in the first division men's league this fall.
Rodin was twice named game MVP at the Five Nations Tournament in February where he had seven points (4-3) in four games and has been invited to Sweden national junior camp.
He's been on the Canucks' radar for more than two years.
"He's a fast skater with good hands and he is a scorer. What makes him an exceptional guy is that he's a real hard worker," added Gradin. "He reminds me of Anders Hedberg."
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http://www.faceoff.com/hockey/teams/...%3Fid%3D894638