Scandinavian Hockey Consulting is working with clients in over ten different leagues across North America. We put a strong emphasis on placing each player in the right league, on the right team, with the right coach. We have a long experience of both North American and Swedish hockey, and we use that experience to help our players succeed on and off the ice.

Below, you can see what some of the people we work with have to say about their experiences in their own words:

Mathias Dahlström

Chicago Steel, SHC Class of 2011

“Scandinavian Hockey Consulting has helped me with so much. Upon contacting them about playing in North America, it took them less than two weeks to find me a team to play for. I got placed on the Kenai River Brown Bears way up in Alaska. The hockey up there was way better than I thought it would be. I really felt that SHC located me a team at a good level for me. So there’s no doubt that SHC will find you a team where you’re able to play and that fits you the most.

My first year, I had a great time and developed a lot both as a player and person. I think that the hockey overseas is a complete different kind of game. For me as a goalie I had to change my game a lot. Different angles because of the smaller rink, more shots, and rougher in front of the net. But it’s definitely worth it, you get to play better hockey.

One thing that made it so much easier to move to the United States was having SHC’s Swedish staff on site here in North America. It was great as I met with him several times throughout the year and we spoke on the phone every week.

Not only has Scandinavian Hockey Consulting helped me find teams in the US, through their network of people they know personally, they have connected me with some of the best goaltending coaches in the United States, Kelly Gee. Kelly is probably the best goalie coach I’ve had so far.

I am really thankful for what SHC has done. I would not be where I am as a hockey player today without them – and the help I have gotten along the way is so great!

Because of SHC, I now get to play in the highest junior league in North America as they were instrumental in getting me drafted by the Chicago Steel of the USHL.

Any hockey player who wants to play hockey in the United States should contact Scandinavian Hockey Consulting. They know their stuff so well, and after I have been living here myself for some time and getting to know more people, I realize how well respected SHC’s staff is and how many teams rely on them for getting good players!

Thank you SHC for your help with everything!”

Johan Skinnars

Kenai River Brown Bears and Fairbanks Ice Dogs, SHC Class of 2010

“I first came in contact with Scandinavian Hockey Consulting in May 2009. Their Swedish staff and I spoke daily and they explained to me that moving to the US to play hockey was the right thing to do for me. Ever since I decided to come over and play here I have not regretted it. Sure some days are tough, and yes at times you want give up and move back to all the safe and comfortable stuff back home. But SHC truly helped me through the tough days, and overall – to move here has been the best decision of my life!

What makes this organization so good and successful is that they are for sure taking care of you and will help you with whatever you need help with; and there is plenty of stuff you do not know about that SHC does. To have staff from SHC in both Sweden and USA is what make it so great and helpful. They also have the necessary connections for you to move on in hockey. Through their network with professional teams and college programs, today I have more options to move on with my hockey career than I would have had otherwise.

I am forever grateful for what SHC did for my life and hockey career. Thank you, everyone involved with SHC, for giving me the time of my life!”

Kelly Gee

Assistant Coach, Chicago Steel USHL

“Scandinavian Hockey Consulting is a terrific resource for us here in the states. They do a great job assessing players strengths and identifying the role in which they can contribute the most on our teams. This leads to a quick and successful transition into the North American system.

I highly recommended Scandinavian Hockey Consulting to any team in the US, and to high-end players looking for a chance to play juniors, college, or pro in North America”

Alexander Gidebring

Pittsburgh Jr. Penguins, SHC Class of 2011

“I contacted Scandinavian Hockey Consulting about a year ago as I was very interested to move to North American and play hockey. At that point, I was not sure what I wanted and I hesitated to take the step, and nothing happened. I spoke to SHC several times throughout the year and was close to make the move many times, but I do not even know why I did not decide to move to the US earlier.

SHC were very professional and let me take my time, and did not push me at all to make a decision. We kept close contact during the season, and between Christmas and New Years I decided I wanted to make the move to North America – and I wanted to move right away to finish this season there. As soon as I told SHC I wanted to move, they started working for me to find a team and league that fit me and my development. I realized it would be hard to find a team in the middle of the season, but it went surprisingly fast for SHC to find two alternatives for me.

I was very happy with the options SHC gave me, and already a week later I was on a plane to Pittsburgh. SHC were very diligent in arranging everything as smooth as fast as possible so that I would not miss any more of the season than necessary, and so that I would get into things as soon as possible.

Of course, I had very many questions before I took the step since I did not know what I got myself into. SHC was of great help and could answer those questions based on their own personal experiences, as well as other players’ experiences.

Once on site in Pittsburgh, I live with an unbelievable host family, which has huge impact on things as I spend a lot of time with them and they always support me. They have been at every home game I played, and even drove 2.5h to Cleveland to see me play, which shows how engaged they are.”

Johan Björklund

Fresno Monsters, SHC Class of 2011

“I got in touch with Scandinavian Hockey Consulting for the first time during spring of 2010. I was recommended to contact them by my good friend Johan Skinnars, and was very interested in playing hockey in North America. I think it is very valuable when everyone on SHC’s staff – both in Sweden and the US – have played junior and college hockey and really know what they are talking about. The fact that SHC has Swedish personnel available in the US throughout the entire season is extremely helpful.

The staff in Sweden is doing a great job before you take off, and of course I stay in touch when them too – but having Swedish staff here in the United States that knows exactly what you go through and has done the same thing themselves is great. SHC has a great network both before and after you start your trip.

I have played for the Fresno Monsters in the NAHL. It was been a great learning experience in several ways. California might not be a hockey hotbed, but there is a huge buzz and excitement around the team in the city, and this is a great place to live. The game events cannot even be compared to any Swedish league, it is so much better here. We average 3000 fans per game! All the traveling is also a fantastic experience, learning the culture, adapt to new things.

I can guarantee that you learn more from a year over here than you do in several years in the safe and comfortable environment at home. Getting new friends, live in a family, experiences on and off the ice that you can never get anywhere else.

If you have the desire, go for it!”

Jeremy Law

Director of Coaches, Texas Jr. Brahmas

“Thank you Scandinavian Hockey Consulting for what you guys have done for the Texas Brahmas and the players you represent.

The goaltender we signed through SHC, Anton Olsson, was a huge asset for our organization. He was one of the league’s best goaltenders and also a great character young man and teammate. Scandinavian Hockey Consulting’s continued interest throughout the year with his success and future showed me as a coach how Scandinavian Hockey Consulting really take pride in helping their players reach their ultimate goals.

I look forward to my new SHC-player next season and to a long lasting continued partnership.

Keep up the great work and thank you!”

(Picture from jrbrahmas.com)

Marcus Dahlstrom

Long Beach Bombers and Walpole Express, SHC Class of 2011

“Playing hockey in North America have always been a dream of mine. But the whole systems of different leagues, divisions and levels can all be very confusing and it’s a complicated process to manage on your own.

It was in the end of 2009 that I found out about Scandinavian Hockey Consulting. I sent SHC an mail where I described my situation and how I wanted to play hockey in the US. Their Swedish rep responded, and just a few days later we had a signed agreement. Their staff really took the time to really get to knowing me, not just as a hockey player, but like a person as well; all this to find me the perfect fit.

You have to sign and have a lot of papers in order to get in to the US. SHC was very helpful with the whole process of setting up a meeting at the American Embassy, getting a VISA etc. They also made sure that I was prepared both mentally and physically. They helped me to get in touch with a NHL-trainer that formed me a training schedule to follow during the summer.

Things didn’t really work out as I hoped and I got cut from my first team. I can’t describe the importance of having SHC’s Swedish Staff on site here in the US when that happened. I was disappointed and I had no clue what to do. But SHC worked hard to find me a new team as fast as possible, and just one day later I had a new team address.

The fact that SHC have representatives in both Sweden and America is for me the most valuable privilege. To be able to talk Swedish to someone who understand what you are going trough and how things work can be very calming and I still have weekly contact with SHC.

To email SHC is the best choice I’ve ever made. ”

(Photo by: Cathleen McGrath Silver)

Travis Rybchinski

Head Coach, Dakota College Bottineau

““We are glad to get involved with Scandinavian Hockey Consulting as any players we have gotten from Sweden have been good people who have been nice additions to our school and hockey team.”

William Thorén

Lawrence University, SHC Class of 2011

“I got in touch with Scandinavian Hockey Consulting because I wanted to move over to the United States and play college-hockey. They were a wonderful help right from the beginning. SHC explained what I should expect from college and helped me start talking to schools. Furthermore, they even helped me fill out my applications, which was very important to me.

I trusted SHC from the start, which I do not regret today. I ended up at Lawrence University, an NCAA school in the Midwest. Two of SHC’s own staff members had studied at Lawrence University themselves, allowing them to answer any questions that I had regarding my experience to come.

I have been at Lawrence for almost six months now and I love it. The hockey is going well, and I am receiving a great education. SHC has been there for me since the first day I came to United States and I really appreciate everything they have done for me. I am looking forward to further cooperation with them for my future.”

Anton Yngwe

Bradford Rattlers, SHC Class of 2011

“I was referred to Scandinavian Hockey Consulting by a good friend (Anton Olsson) who had already lived in Texas for a year and loved it. He told me that SHC are serious and worked hard to get their clients a perfect place to play, and it was all true. I spoke to their Swedish staff basically every day from the 28th of December, and he found out all information, statistics, and references that they could find about me and teams in North America that needed players. It was a stressful period due to the January Transfer Deadline for import players. It took SHC four days to find me a team, the Bradford Rattlers.

There was never doubt when I decided to move across the pond since I have wanted to do that for a long time, and always dreamt about playing hockey in this side of the Atlantic. So when I called SHC the first time and they asked when I wanted to move, I said as soon as possible! Their staff in Sweden and in the US gave me every piece of information regarding how to go about things such as travel insurance, immigration papers, etc.

It took about one week from that I made the phone call to SHC until I sat on the plane to Toronto and I had no expectations except doing my best so I can take the step to the next level next season.

I have been placed in a family that really is hockey interested, and I live here with two other players. The dad in the family runs the speaker booth during our games! If there is ever anything we need, we just have to let the family know and it is taken care of until the next day. The food is perfect, and we are not talking about crappy food. It is great!

This is the best decision I made in my entire life and I do not regret anything. The only thing I wish I would have done differently is to make that phone call to SHC earlier!

Huge thank you to the work SHC put into helping me and get me over as quick as they did. I am deeply thankful!”

Gustav Claughton

Central Wisconsin Saints, SHC Class of 2010

“What has impressed me the most about Scandinavian Hockey Consulting is the personal relationship the company has had with me. They began working hard to find me a team as early as last winter, and kept me updated on any progress throughout the way, so that I always knew what was going on. SHC helped me through the entire process and placed me on the appropriate level for me – so that I could develop in the best possible way.

The fact that the company has representatives in the United States has made the move from Sweden to USA much easier than it otherwise would have been. Having someone “on site” that can help out with day-to-day things and who can answer any questions about hockey or about life in the USA in general has made a big difference. The personal contact with SHC’s USA representatives has been extremely valuable and helpful – both as a player and as a person.

Scandinavian Hockey Consulting made it possible for me to fulfill a childhood dream. To be able to move to the United States and play ice hockey full time is something I wanted to do forever. I am extremely thankful for what Scandinavian Hockey Consulting has done for me and can strongly recommend SHC to any young hockey player who wants to get the experience of a lifetime.”

Peter Dahlström

Father of Mathias Dahlström, Kenai River Brown Bears, SHC Class of 2011

“For a young man wanting to play junior hockey in North America, the contact with Scandinavian Hockey Consulting is an absolute necessity. If you, as a parent, would try to find a feasible solution for your child, it will with no exceptions lead to a number of problems; and bad decisions that lead to significant issues will be made.

It is also very clear and noticeable that the teams in North America has a great sense of trust and reliability for Scandinavian Hockey Consulting, both in regards to how they request their players – but also in the close relationship the SHC-staff has with the coaches and GM´s.

Additionally, it is easy getting into contact with Scandinavian Hockey Consulting, as there are representatives in Sweden. The player will also find it easy to get help on site, as they have Swedish staff there.

For Mathias, this is an enormous experience which will make him grow as a person as he will have to deal with both great and hard times.”

Robert Powell

Head Coach, Arizona Redhawks

“The Arizona Redhawks were extremely fortunate to be associated with Scandinavian Hockey Consulting this season. They watched our team play and found us a goalie who has not only been a asset on the ice, but a true gentleman off the ice.

The homework SHC did and the guidance they provided my player and his family with everything – from all the legal documents for the United States to personal contact – made the transition work very well for all parties involved.

We can’t wait for our next SHC-player!!”

Erik Persson

Kenai River Brown Bears, SHC Class of 2011

“The first thing that happened when I got in contact with Scandinavian Hockey Consulting is that we had a personal meeting in Leksand – where I lived at the time – with me, my parents, and SHC’s staff in Sweden. Already after that first meeting – and after talking to one of their previous clients, Johan Skinnars – I was sure I wanted to move to North America and continue my hockey career.

SHC kept me updated all the time on how the process went on finding me a team to play for. When a good team for me was found, they helped me with visa papers and all other necessary paperwork to make it as easy as possible for me. I even got assistance in finding cheap and good flights to the US!

Once I arrived in the United States and the season started, everything has been even better and more exciting than I expected. Sure, sometimes there have been tough times – but in those situations it has really helped that SHC’s Swedish staff in the US never is more than just a phone call away. SHC has also came with invaluable help and advice throughout the year, and made me realize that over here one have to give 100% at all times to earn ice time.

One thing that is very noticeable over here is how thankful everyone is for SHC’s work to locate fitting players to their teams; and I am very thankful to have had the opportunity to be one of their clients. This will forever be one of my coolest and most exciting adventures of my life, and I sincerely recommend SHC to any player who wants an experience similar to mine.”