NY Islanders’ Swedish Duo Builds Strong Bond Before World Championship Run

There’s a little Swedish chemistry brewing on Long Island, and honestly, isn’t it Swede?

Simon Holmstrom and Emil Heineman didn’t just become teammates with the New York Islanders. They became part of a tight Swedish circle that helped make Heineman’s first year on Long Island feel like home.

Via a story from Rachel Luscher at NewYorkIslanders.com, their friendship is easy to spot before games, especially during two-touch, the soccer-style keep-up game NHL teams love using as a warmup. And if you ask Heineman, Holmstrom may be just a little too invested.

“He hates losing in the two-touch soccer before games,” Heineman said. “He complains all the time about when I win. If get him, he's so frustrated. If he gets me... I mean it didn't happen this year, but if he ever gets me, he would let me know.”

That is elite teammate chirping regardless of the national bond.

But the bond goes deeper than pregame soccer bragging rights. When Heineman arrived after being acquired last offseason, Holmstrom helped him settle in, from moving into his apartment to driving him around Long Island. Along with defenseman Adam Boqvist, the three Swedes lived in the same apartment complex, giving Heineman a built-in comfort zone.

“We connected right away,” Heineman said. “We had a lot of fun this year, with all the Swedes, we’re a tight group.”

That comfort clearly mattered. Heineman broke out with a career-high 22 goals and 31 points, showing off a sneaky shot while becoming a useful special teams piece. After dealing with an injury from a pedestrian accident during his rookie season with Montreal, he found the fresh start he was looking for.

Holmstrom kept building, too. He posted his second straight 40-point season with 41 points, played a career-high 79 games and continued to be one of the Islanders’ most trusted penalty killers.

Jean-Gabriel Pageau praised Holmstrom’s growth, saying, “To see him on every unit, whether it be power play or PK, it shows how much he means to this group and this organization.”

Now, Holmstrom and Heineman will take their friendship overseas to represent Sweden at the IIHF World Championship. The Islanders’ season may be over, but their Swedish connection is still rolling.

And if two-touch breaks out before a game in Sweden, someone should probably keep score. Just don’t expect Holmstrom to accept the result quietly.

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