Bombers Sign Swede Forward Söderström

The Long Beach Bombers are proud to announce their first new player signing for the 2017-2018 Western States Hockey League season, forward, Morgan Söderström. The 5’10, 176lb left shot is from Nykvarn, Sweden, and is a 1998 birth-year. Söderström attended the Long Beach Bombers’ Scandinavian Prospects Camp in Sollentuna, this April. 

Söderström suited up for Åker/Strängnäs J20 Elit, last season. In 26 Games Played, he registered 8G-7A. As an 18 year-old, he also dressed for 8 games with the Division 1 senior team. Prior to last year, Söderström played in the Södertälje SK system, where he notched 28 points over two seasons at the J18 Elit level. In 2014, Söderström competed in Sweden’s prestigious TV-Pucken tournament, for the country’s top 15 year-olds. Södertälje SK is the same program that groomed Bombers alum, Casper Fältskog. Åker/Strängnäs was an 8th place team in J20 Elit Östra Region, with a record of 9-23-4. So, a move to one of the WSHL’s premier franchises might be just what the doctor ordered, for Söderström.

Bombers Head Coach & General Manager, Chris White, noted, “I was able to see Morgan play at our Scandinavian Prospects Camp, and see his skill set, first-hand. I was very impressed by his finishing ability, especially on the second day of camp, after he knocked some of the off-season rust off. The harsh reality is, we are losing 231 goals from our age-out group that led the WSHL in scoring production, last season. We are going to need to find some puzzle pieces that can put the puck in the net; and I think Morgan can, and will, do that. He earned some valuable time with the senior team, last year, and has a solid résumé. Playing alongside a player like Anton Bowallius could lead to a huge outburst in his production, which would do wonders for us. I’m excited to see just how quickly Morgan can adjust to the WSHL game, and start showing what I was able to see at camp. It also cannot be ignored that we could possibly maintain Morgan as a two-year player."

Morgan’s Player Profile:http://www.eliteprospects.com/player.php?player=266362

Q & A with Morgan Söderström:

You attended the Long Beach Bombers Scandinavian Prospects Camp in Sollentuna, this April. Tell us about that experience. Were you able to discuss some things with any of the Bombers alumni players?

I think that it was a good experience to attend on the camp, because you had a chance to show yourself to the team. It was a good setup with two days on the camp, because many of us hadn’t hit the ice for few weeks, so the first day was kind of getting in to the game with speed and passing. Day two, everything felt like game on! I talked to some Bombers players and we discussed how it was to live and play there, and they all said that it was great. We also talked about the league, and they said that it was good.

You have spent most of your youth career with Södertälje, where you put up 22 points in 2015-2016 at the J18 Elit level. How was your transition to Åker/Strängnäs J20 Elit?

The transfer from Södertälje to Åker/Strängnäs was good, and suited me at the time.

Last season, you were also rewarded by the club by playing 8 games at the Division 1 senior level. What did you take out of those opportunities?

I think that it was a good experience to play Division 1, because it is a good leauge with high speed, and that fits me well. So, I will bring the speed with me from the experience.

What are some strengths in your game that you hope to bring to Long Beach?

I think my strengths in the game are that I see the game quite well, I have a good playmaking ability, and I am work hard in both the offensive zone and defensive zone. So, that’s what I will bring to the Long Beach Bombers.

You are the first new Bombers signing for the 2017-2018 WSHL season. What are you most excited about, on and off the ice, as you prepare to play in Southern California?

On ice, I am excited to experience American hockey, play with a new team, and focus on my development. Off ice, I look forward to meeting new people, seeing how it is to live in an American family, and to have a great time enjoying this oportunity.