Sweden to Sioux City: Musketeers’ goalkeeper Axel Mangbo is far from home | Musketeers
Shane Lantz
SIOUX CITY – Axel Mangbo has come a long way in getting to where he is today. 4,459 miles actually.
Mölle is a small fishing village in western Sweden, opposite Denmark. It is home to about 700 people, including Mangbo, Sioux City’s newest goalkeeper.
Mangbo had only been to America once in his life before traveling west to join the Musketeers this summer. Several years ago, he and his teammates in the Sweden Select U15 squad played a tournament in Philadelphia, after which they spent a couple of days in New York.
Now Mangbo is back in the US, a member of the Musketeers in first place, and he has seen lots of action while sharing match representations with 2020 leftover Alex Tracy at the start of the season.
The Swedish expat joined the Muskies as a first choice this spring in Phase II of the USHL Draft, and through four matches has a save percentage of 92.4, sixth best in the league.
On Saturday, Mangbo finished with 18 saves in Sioux City’s 4-1 home win over Des Moines.
“He’s a guy who’s had success abroad,” said Sioux City head coach Luke Strand. “Last year was a different season with COVID, when it comes to playing the number of games. He did not really get the chance to play, but he has found a way to be successful. He has a good track record as a talented goalkeeper. He has adapted to North America, not only on the ice but also as a human being. ”
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Before he moved to a nearby city in 2019 to pursue his hockey dreams, Mangbo had spent his entire life in Mölle. He credits his father for arousing his love of the game, with a fateful trip to the rink about 10 years ago.
“My dad took me to the rink one day when I was young,” Mangbo said. “I was around eight years old and started as a player first, but after a year or so I started playing goal-free. Since then, I’ve just had so much fun that I’ve continued with it. And now I’m here.”
Since the transition to the goalkeeper position, Mangbo has had many successes. After scoring 3.17 goals against the average and a save percentage of 88.7 during 2019-2020, Mangbo improved in limited action last season when he played for the Swedish Rögle BK J18 squad, where his save percentage improved to 93.3, and his goal against average dropped to 2.01.
As for why he decided to take up the goalkeeper position, Mangbo mentioned that he loves the all-or-nothing nature in it. Success or failure is obvious.
“If it goes well, you are the hero,” said Mangbo. “If things go badly, some guys blame it on the goalkeeper. I like it. Being the hero sometimes. That’s what triggers me.”
Mangbo is just the latest in a string of successful European goalkeepers who have fought for the Musketeers. The late Matiss Kivlenieks, born in Latvia, set several team records in goal 2017-2018, before signing a contract with the NHL’s Columbus Blue Jackets.
Last season, Swiss expatriate Akira Schmid finished with the USHL-best 2.01 goals against the average, before signing his three-year entry contract with the New Jersey Devils.
“I think it helps when the previous players have had success, that little chain and pipeline …”, said Strand. “Akira won his first victory (Friday) in professional hockey, in the American Hockey League. Obviously, Matiss and what he has done here. It has been a long legacy since then and we are happy to see that Axel has fallen right in line with it. . ”
Mangbo, said Strand, has adapted well to its new surroundings both on and off the ice. As a hockey player, there are definitely some important differences between the Swedish and American games.
“There’s a new culture here,” Mangbo said. – It is different than at home in Sweden, but I feel very good here. I’m just enjoying. In terms of hockey, because the ice rink is so much smaller, it is a much faster game. They shoot from all possible angles. I would say that is the biggest difference. “
Mangbo has another stop planned in its American hockey future, with its commitment to Division I University of Vermont. But at the moment, he said, he is focused on being a musketeer.
From the Swedish west coast to the American Midwest, and from the Swedish selected league to the USHL, Axel Mangbo has come a long way in the pursuit of his NHL dreams. And so far, Sioux City seems to suit him well.
“I have great teammates, and it’s been a great place to be,” said Mangbo. “I just enjoy every moment here and try to do the best I can for the team.”
Sioux City will play their next game on Friday, in Lincoln.