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Sweden's Loui Eriksson is a one of the NHL's best kept secrets... outside of Dallas. While Canadians James Neal and Jamie Benn get lots of press as the hot young wingers on the Stars, Loui Eriksson has quietly been the right hand man to red hot Brad Richards, as well as arguably the top weapon on the Stars roster. While the average NHL fan doesn't think of Loui when they're listing the game's most talented right wings, his skills were not overlooked by his native Sweden. Eriksson will be making his Olympic debut in Vancouver, and is expected to contribute the same two-way prowess to the Tre Kronor that he displays every night in the Lone Star State.
Stars fans often compare Loui Eriksson to teammate and Scandinavian legend Jere Lehtinen of Finland, only with an arguably more dangerous offensive upside. While it's unlikely he'll ever compete with Lehtinen's three Selke Trophies as the NHL's best defensive forward, he has definitely taken over the lead checking role from the aging Lehtinen in Dallas. Loui Eriksson has been called Jere Lehtinen 2.0, and this Stars fan won't disagree with that assessment. Drafted 33rd overall in the 2003 NHL Entry Draft from Sweden's Frolunda Indians, Eriksson made his professional debut in 2005 for the AHL Iowa Stars. After playing one season in the AHL, Loui scored his first NHL goal in his first game as a Dallas Star on opening night of the 06-07 season. It didn't take him long to establish himself as a top NHL player, leading the Stars in goals in his third NHL season, with 36. Currently in his fourth NHL season, Loui sits first in goals (21) and second in points (48), playing on the Stars top unit with Brad Richards.
What strikes me the most about Eriksson's play is his intelligence. The kid oozes hockey sense, and is hardly ever caught out of position. Some believe this is due to his training in the Swedish hockey development program, while others believe it's because he's a cyborg sent from the future to destroy those of the wrong colored sweater. These Olympics should be special for Eriksson, as it will be an opportunity for him to suit up alongside his idol, Peter Forsberg. No word yet on if Eriksson will allow Foppa to wear his famous #21, or if he'll keep it for himself... (just kidding, before I get angry comments.) Eriksson is pretty much a utility knife on the Batman belt of the Swedish Olympic Team, just as capable of netting the game winning goal as he is of shutting down the top offensive players of the opposite.
In this tournament, you should expect Eriksson to play the technical, methodical, intelligent, two-way hockey that Sweden has had such success with in the past, as he hopes to contribute to his home nation's successful defense of their 2006 Gold Medal.
 Cole Jones covers the Dallas Stars at The Other 6 Seconds in addition to his work on Bloguin's Olympic Hockey Blog.
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