'Pressure is a Privilege': Mattias Ekholm Thriving in Intense Canadian Market

Caleb Kerney

Jun 4, 2024, 20:49

Caleb Kerney

Jun 4, 2024, 20:49

Mattias Ekholm is basking in the glow from the intense Edmonton Oilers market.

James Guillory-USA TODAY Sports - 'Pressure is a Privilege': Mattias Ekholm Thriving in Intense Canadian Market

EDMONTON -- Hockey hot-beds are not for everyone.

In the case of Edmonton Oilers' defenseman Mattias Ekholm, he's really enjoying it.

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"It's amazing when you win," Ekholm joked with the media at Rogers Place this morning. Oilers' fans have not been shy about throwing jerseys on the ice, or booing the team for playing poorly.

He then went into his thoughts of playing for a Canadian team and the pressure that comes with it, "we're playing to win, we have a team set to do good things out there...when you have that you want to be somewhere where people care about it."

Edmontonians certainly care about hockey. That has been evident all postseason long. But just like Ekholm said, there are pros and cons, "It's going to be good and bad wherever you are, it's just boosted up more in a country and a place like Edmonton where everyone loves hockey."

[embed]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Oig3x0xoqFk[/embed]

Ekholm enjoys playing in the high pressure moments. He doesn't shy away, but leans into it instead, "for me personally, I love it. I play the game to win. I understand everyone that says there is a lot more pressure, you can feel it. But at the same time it's a matter of embracing it. Playing somewhere where people care so much about it, it's great.

"I think that pressure is privilege."

[embed]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fvyClYl1_Bw[/embed]

Since he joined the Oilers his career has been given a jolt of life. In 100 regular season games with the Oilers he boasts 59 points. For the playoffs he's accumulated 14 points in 30 games while playing a hair less than 22 minutes a night.

His open personality, honesty and mentality all contribute to him being a favorite in Oil Country.

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