Engelland signs in Norway-plays for free

[offsides]

http://www.pghsports.net/2012/10/12/der ... in-norway/

Deryk Engelland has signed a contract with Rosenborg IHK of the GET-ligaen hockey league in Norway.
The team’s official site says Engelland will play without pay and will only get their insurance costs covered in addition to the direct costs of travel and accommodation during the contract period.

[mikey287]

Sky's the limit!

For those wondering, I (and maybe this is just me) have Norway's league outside of the top-12 in the world. Probably 15ish, but there's a cluster after about 10 or 11 or so that are very close...

[offsides]

Thanks Mikey, I never even heard of that league, let alone how good it is.

[mikey287]

There's a Norwegian poster here somewhere (Ossa?) that peeks in from time to time, maybe he/she can comment more. But it appears to be an improving league, Norwegian hockey in general seems to be on the rise...hopefully they can compete with other "cinderella" types like Latvia and Denmark, as I believe it's fair to assess that Switzerland has graduated past that point.

[no name]

As long as he stays in shape for when the season is officially canceled.

[Noise]

Engelland must have watched Lilyhammer on Netflix.

[DudeMan2766]

Engelland must have watched Lilyhammer on Netflix.

[k0la]

If you were an ahl regular you would be the best player on any team in Norway. Most foreigners in Norway have a limited amount of ahl games.

Vålrenga at the top right now have a pair of twin canadiens forwards the Donati brothers as their star players. Think they've mostly played OHL before coming to Norway

[jwnorsk]

Pa native living now in Norway now. My sons both play in the Lørenskog youth teams and are trained by players from the Elite League, I have to say I am impressed with the level of play throughout the league. I have become friends with the coach for Lørenskog he is from Boston and in 2 years has turned the team around. I asked earlier this week if we would be getting any players from the NHL, he said it was not likely as we are in second place and the team is set.

[mikey287]

If you were an ahl regular you would be the best player on any team in Norway. Most foreigners in Norway have a limited amount of ahl games.

Vålrenga at the top right now have a pair of twin canadiens forwards the Donati brothers as their star players. Think they've mostly played OHL before coming to Norway

First sentence: that's how I understood it to be as well. Second: Donati's played juniors over here and then played in the ECHL (NHL -> AHL -> ECHL) and were good for that league...I personally think the ECHL is probably better than the Norwegian league overall, so I'd expect the Donati brothers to be among the league's best players over there. Jack Skille should stick out big time there if he tries, I feel.

@jwnorsk: Very interesting! What a move that must have been! Feel free to post/PM any interesting discussion points regarding Norwegian hockey and how it works (youth or pro level), I'm always interested in firsthand accounts of hockey countries that I'm not quite as familiar with...

[astro4k]

I'm not all that concerned with the level of competition, I like the idea of him playing in a skating league. Hopefully his skating and passing improves.

[jwnorsk]

To give you some idea of the level of competition our best player (Lørenskog) is James Sixsmith a native of Va. who has played in the ECHL and AHL with limited results stats here http://www.hockeydb.com/ihdb/stats/pdis ... ?pid=77685 However his first season here he was fantastic top player and from what I have seen I think he is one of the fastest players on the team. Norwegian stats here http://www.pointstreak.com/prostats/pla ... sonid=9491

It is going to be interesting to see how the to NHL players do, both playing for Rosenborg which after 9 games is one point out of last place. First game is on Thursday I will try and post the stats after the game.

I can continue to post in this thread or if there is interest can start a Norwegian hockey thread in non-pens.

[Pitt87]

Funny, I just heard on the radio that he is scheduled to sign autographs at an 84 Lumber next weekend...

[mikey287]

To give you some idea of the level of competition our best player (Lørenskog) is James Sixsmith a native of Va. who has played in the ECHL and AHL with limited results stats here http://www.hockeydb.com/ihdb/stats/pdis ... ?pid=77685 However his first season here he was fantastic top player and from what I have seen I think he is one of the fastest players on the team. Norwegian stats here http://www.pointstreak.com/prostats/pla ... sonid=9491

It is going to be interesting to see how the to NHL players do, both playing for Rosenborg which after 9 games is one point out of last place. First game is on Thursday I will try and post the stats after the game.

I can continue to post in this thread or if there is interest can start a Norwegian hockey thread in non-pens.

Re: Sixsmith, that's about what I'd expect. Over his head at the AHL and DEL level, fitting nicely at Norwegian level...the leagues are worlds apart.

I doubt you'll find much of an audience outside of me (and possibly k0la), and I'm more interested of the inner-workings of the league and how the coaching works and the like more than the performance of players that I'll never see again (sans Skille and Engelland, unfortunately) other than on national team duty at the World Championships. But by all means, keep the thread alive with anything you have whenever you feel it necessary. You'll have at least one audience member that's interested...

[jwnorsk]

Engelland update from Norway- 6 games 6 points
Link to his stats: http://www.pointstreak.com/prostats/pla ... sonid=9491

[Fire0nice228]

Breakout season for Engo!

[columbia]

If this keeps up, DE will become the smooth, puck moving D that we all want to see in Martin. Plus he can knock your head off!

Anyway, glad someone is enjoying hockey these days.

[meecrofilm]

Apparently he's playing a ton of minutes as well. Like, more than a Top D usually plays in the NHL.

[Idoit40fans]

I'm guessing someone of his size isn't really getting physically worn down during the games over there.

[jwnorsk]

Engelland comes to Lørenskog on Thursday so I hope to see him play he will be getting a little competition however since Mike Weber of the Sabers has signed with Lorenskog. I talked to the coach tonight he is to arrive tomorrow and should be in the game Thursday will be fun to see a little NHL and Pens here in Norway.

[mikey287]

Awesome, please keep us posted!

[Sarcastic]

8 points in 9 games. -5. He must be having fun there.