Stars Story - Niklas Grossman
Dallas Stars Care was able to sit down with Stars defenseman Niklas Grosmman. Niklas talks about his youth sports experience, how he was discovered, and gives great advice to both youth hockey players and their parents.
Dallas Stars Care: What sports did you play growing up?
Niklas: “ I played soccer and hockey growing up, and that was a big choice for me. It was a big step to choose a sport. I chose what sport to play when I was about 14 years old.”
Dallas Stars Care: When did you start playing hockey exclusively?
Niklas: “When I was in Sweden a lot of kids had to choose which sport to play at about twelve years old. I told my coach I wanted to play both, so I ended up choosing to play exclusively hockey late when I was fifteen.”
Dallas Stars Care: When did you first believe you might play in the NHL?
Niklas: “When I was about nineteen, I became a ‘reserve’ for a national youth tournament in Sweden. I was there to backup just in case somebody got hurt. That is where the ball started rolling. That same year I was taken into the nationals and then drafted by the Stars. Before then I was just grinding it out back home with my old team. “
Dallas Stars Care: Describe the role your parents had in your youth sports experience.
Niklas: “My mom, even though she didn’t really understand it, was always there for me. She was always very positive. My dad has always been there, he always loved what I was doing and he would help me out by getting me to practice all the time. He still loves what I do, and he watches back home in Sweden all the time.”
Dallas Stars Care: What advice would you give kids playing youth sports today?
Niklas: “Work hard and always have respect for the other teammates and opponents.”
Dallas Stars Care: What advice do you have for parents of youth sports players?
Niklas: “Be there and be supportive, but don’t be there too much. Don’t be ‘in the kids’ kitchen.’ You need to leave the kids there space, because if you in there too much it will mess around with their focus.”
Dallas Stars Care: How do you handle failure?
Niklas: “You try to learn from it, because everyone makes mistakes. It’s how you recover from mistakes that show the real thing. You can see who you are from that.”
Dallas Stars Care: What is your game-day routine?
Niklas: “I just do the regular stuff, but I like to keep it very routine. Nap, shower, and things like that. Nothing special.”
Dallas Stars Care: Who would you choose as a role model for kids today in hockey?
Niklas: “We have a lot of good guys on this team right here. People like Mattias Norstrom, Marty Turco, Stu Barnes, and some of the older guys that have been around. People like that are good role models.”
Dallas Stars Care: How does “keeping the game fun” play a role in the pros vs. as a kid?
Niklas: “Well it’s definitely fun to win, getting that good feeling and things like that, but it is different than when you were a kid just playing around with buddies. Either way, it’s still fun coming down here every morning, almost like family.”
