Hockey players are ferocious competitors. They spill blood, sweat and tears amidst a war on ice. You don't hear many call themselves a warm person, but that's exactly how  William Ahlrik describes himself. 

"I think that, you know, I'm a very warm person," Ahlrik told me. " I take big ownership that everyone is feeling well and doing well."

The Tidaholm, Sweden native spent his freshman and sophomore years. at Lake Superior State before transferring to St. Cloud ahead of the upcoming 2026-27 season. During that sophomore campaign, Ahlrik led the Lakers with 16 assists and 27 points through 36 games.  

Ahlrik succeeded in his goal of being an all purpose player. He was quite descriptive when I asked him specifically about his desired style.  "You know, I can play 200 feet, all over the ice, all situations, power play, penalty box play, Ahlrik said. "So probably all around center, man, two way forward."

At the junior level, Ahlrik played for the HV71 organization in his native Sweden for four years. Upon arriving in the United States, he won 2023 Robertson Cup with the North American Hockey League's Oklahoma Warriors.

Often times, European players have difficulty adapting to the smaller rinks in North America. Ahlrik discussed the adaptations he made. 

"Everything happens way faster, and you get less time with the puck," Ahlrik said. "Then it's more physical. And, you know, when it's a smaller ink, you don't get, you know, the time you think, and you're getting hit all over the ice, you know. I think that's probably the biggest thing."

While Ahlrik wants to develop on ice, does have a message for NHL scouting departments about the intangibles he brings to a team.

" I'm a kind person," Ahlrik explained. "I care about the people around me. I think that, you know, I like to take ownership all over the ice. Even if it's face offs or, you know, whatever is on the ice, I like to take ownership of that so caring about people around me is probably the biggest thing."