Robin Figren

2007-08 Update: February 1, 2008: Robin Figren went 5-1-6 in 9 games played for the Edmonton Oil Kings during the month of January.

January 1, 2008: Robin Figren went 1-2-3 in 3 games played for the Edmonton Oil Kings during the month of December.

December 1, 2007: Robin Figren went 8-4-12 in 12 games played for the Edmonton Oil Kings during the month of November. He continued a 4 game point scoring streak from Oct. 28th to Nov. 3rd in which he went 2-3-5. Figren recorded the game winning goal vs. Everett on Nov. 1st and the first goal of the game on Nov. 3rd. He began another 3 game point scoring streak (including a 3 game goal scoring streak) from Nov. 7th to the 10th in which he went 4-1-5. Figren recorded his first 3 point game of the season with 2 goals and an assist in a 6-3 loss at the Brandon Wheat Kings on Nov. 9th, recording a point on all three Edmonton goals. He also scored in a 5-3 win at Moose Jaw on Nov. 7th and on the power play in a 3-2 shootout loss at Regina on Nov. 10th. Figren scored the first goal of the game in a 4-1 loss vs. Seattle on Nov. 18th. He recorded his second three point game of the month and season with a power play goal and two assists in a win vs. Lethbridge Nov. 21st. Figren went 1 for 2 on two shootout attempts during the month, scoring Nov. 3rd and missing on Nov. 10th. On the power play he went 1-2-3 during the month. Figren has recorded 6 multiple point games on the season. Edmonton posted a record of 4-7-1 during the month of November and are 8-12-3 on the season. They went 4-2-1 in games in which Figren recorded a point and goal, and 2-1-0 in games in which he recorded multiple points (1-1-0 in his two 3 point games).

November 1, 2007: Robin Figren went 4-6-10 in 11 games played for the Edmonton Oil Kings during the month of October. He scored his first goal of the season in the season opener, a 5-4 win vs. Prince Albert on Oct. 5th. Figren also added a game winning power play assist in the game. He tallied the first goal of the game and added an assist in a 3-2 win vs. the Swift Current Broncos on Oct. 8th. Figren had a three game point scoring streak from Oct. 13th to 20th in which he went 2-2-4, including goals at Medicine Hat and vs. his former team Calgary. He recorded the game winning assist on the power play in a 4-3 win at Calgary at 19:58 of the third period. Figren also recorded an assist at Lethbridge on Oct. 30th. During the month he went 1-3-4 on the power play. Figren went 1 for 2 on the penalty shot during the month, failing on an attempt Oct. 8th vs. Swift Current and scoring Oct. 30th at Lethbridge. He recorded three multiple point games during the month. Edmonton posted a record of 4-5-2 during the month of October. They went 4-2-1 in games in which Figren recorded a point, 2-2-0 in games in which he scored a goal, and 2-1-0 in games in which he recorded multiple points.

2007-08 Season Highlights:

* Named second star with a goal & an assist in 5-4 win vs. Prince Albert Raiders October 5, 2007
* Named third star with a goal & an assist in 4-2 loss vs. Calgary Hitmen October 19, 2007
* Named third star with an assist & SO goal in 4-3 SO win at Lethbridge Hurricanes October 30, 2007
* Named first star with a goal (gw) & an assist in 4-1 win vs. Everett Silvertips November 1, 2007
* Named first star with a goal (pp) & 2 assists in 6-3 win vs. Lethbridge Hurricanes November 21, 2007
* Named second star with a goal & an assist in 6-3 loss vs. Regina Pats December 6, 2007
* Named third star with an assist in 2-1 win vs. Calgary Hitmen December 11, 2007
* Named first star with 2 goals (2pp,gw) in 3-0 win vs. Portland Winterhawks January 26, 2008

Kicked Off the Isle
Islanders' prospect happy to be back with Oil Kings following look-see in New York
by Jason Hills, Edmonton Sun, Sept. 29, 2007

The Edmonton Oil Kings are happy to have Robin Figren back in the fold, even if he only has one skate.

Figren recently came back from the New York Islanders training camp, but one of his skates was lost in transit. In the interim he has had to borrow head coach Steve Pleau's skates until the elusive skate is returned.

"I should charge him some rent for my skates," joked Pleau, yesterday after practice.

"It's exciting to have him back, he'll be a big part of our team offensively, he's very gifted with the puck."

OFF-SEASON SURGERY

Figren is still recovering from off season sports hernia surgery. The third-round draft pick of the Islanders in 2006 hadn't seen any exhibition game action with the Oil Kings, or the Islanders, but all reports have the 19-year-old making his Oil Kings debut next week at home against the Prince Albert Raiders.

"I am happy to be back. It was good for me to go down to New York, I was able to get a lot of treatment for my groin," said Figren.

"It was tough not playing. I did a lot of skating on my own. The first five days I skated with no pucks and the treatment was pretty intense."

Figren did have one practice with the Islanders during main camp, but the intensity of the practice put too much strain on his groin, so he was back skating by himself for the remainder of camp.

"I really wanted to go out there, but I knew I wasn't ready, it was just my stupid ego telling me to go out there."

This was Figren's second pro camp. Although most of his time was spent rehabbing his groin and skating by himself, he said veteran Islanders like Chris Simon, Bill Guerin and Ruslan Fedotenko were all great to learn from.

"Chris Simon is a beauty," said Figren.

"All the veteran guys really take care of you when you are there and that's an awesome feeling for a young guy."

The Islanders spent the first two days of camp on Long Island, but then made a trip to Moncton, NB, for a pair of exhibition games.

"It was really neat to go there. It reminded me a lot of Europe. It was a small city and there were no big buildings or skyscrapers. It felt like home," said Figren, who hails from Stockholm, Sweden.

Many prognosticators predicted the Oil Kings to be the lowest scoring team in the WHL. That may still happen, but through the first three games of the season, they have potted 13 goals, while posting a 2-0-0-1 record.

ITCHING TO GET BACK

On paper Figren was the highest scoring forward joining the Oil Kings. After scoring 10 goals last year with the Calgary Hitmen, Figren is itching to get into the lineup and have a big year.

"He's a got a lot of skill and he's going to be one of the top players on our team," said Pleau.

"We've done a good job the last three games of putting the puck on net from everywhere and we've been fortunate to get some of them in.

"Adding a guy like 'Figs' in the lineup will be a boost to our offence and our power play."

For the record, Figren's skate should get to him by early next week.

Availability of Figren a pleasant surprise
Edmonton acquires building blocks for team
by Scott Petersen, Edmonton Journal. June 6, 2007

EDMONTON - An experienced defence corps? Check.

A 20-year-old goalie with a taste for high shot-counts? Check.

An influx of talented young forwards to mix with older grinders? Check.

A Swede with a nose for the net? Hello pleasant curveball.

Edmonton Oil Kings general manager Bob Green and his staff spent eight months preparing for Tuesday's Western Hockey League expansion draft. It's hard to surprise someone like that, but the Calgary Hitmen did by exposing 19-year-old Swedish forward Robin Figren.

Green and his crew selected Figren, along with the addition of 19 other new players through draft and trade on the day, to create the building blocks of the inaugural Oil Kings team.

"To get a quality European player at this point in time is pretty important for us," said Green. "He's really good around the net, from the top of the circles in. He's got a lot of creativity, as a lot of the Europeans do. He's got good finish, shoots the puck well and is certainly not afraid to go into the tough areas." Figren, a third-round draft pick of the New York Islanders in 2006, scored 27 points in 62 games last year, his first in the WHL. The native of Stockholm was fifth on the Hitmen with seven power play goals, but also carried a minus-11 rating.

Aside from providing an offensive burst to what promises to be a primarily defensive lineup, Figren could also help with the adjustment to North America for the Oil Kings' next import addition. The team should land a talented player with the top selection in the Canadian Hockey League's import draft on June 27. The faster that player adjusts to his new life in Edmonton, the better.

Hitmen lose forward to new Oil Kings
by John Down, Calgary Herald, June 6, 2007

The Calgary Hitmen will need to fill at least six roster spots when they begin the 2007-08 Western Hockey League campaign this fall.

Five of those positions will be forwards, now that the Edmonton Oil Kings have snapped up 19-year-old Robin Figren in Tuesday's WHL expansion draft.

"That's life in junior hockey," sighed Hitmen general manager and head coach Kelly Kisio. "But we're lucky we've got a lot of young guys coming in."

Figren was one of 21 players drafted by the Oil Kings from WHL member teams. Edmonton will return to the league as a Central Division member this season after a 20-year absence, with what should be a competitive lineup given the talent available in Tuesday's draft.

Kisio added he wasn't sure who the Oil Kings might take from the Hitmen.

"It could have gone either way because we left a number of guys open who would have been good quality choices," he admitted. "We had to make some tough choices as to who to protect . . . we had a lot of young guys we felt we had to protect."

Besides the five-foot-11, 181-pound Figren, who potted 10 goals among 27 points in his rookie season, the Hitmen also have lost forwards Steve Covington and Derek LeBlanc to the age rule, Brodie Dupont to the New York Rangers and Freddie Pettersson to the Swedish Elite League.

Now the Hitmen will be looking to fill both their allotments during the annual European draft on June 27.

"It's not very often you can get two quality Europeans in the same draft but I've got some friends scouting players over there so you never know," said Kisio.

2006-07 Update: May 1, 2007 Playoff Update: The Calgary Hitmen defeated the Kootenay Ice 4 games to 3 in the WHL's first round best of seven quarterfinal series. The Hitmen lost game 6, but came back to win game 7 in Kootenay 4-3 in overtime on Apr. 4th. Figren assisted on the game winning goal. In the series he went 1-2-3 in 7 games played. With the win Calgary advanced to the division semifinals against the Brandon Wheat Kings. The Hitmen went on to win the series 4 games to 2 after losing the first two games of the series in Brandon. Figren scored a goal on a beautiful spinerama in game 5 of the series, a 5-4 overtime win on Apr. 13th. In the series he went 1-1-2 in 6 games played. The Hitmen advanced to the WHL Conference Finals against the Medicine Hat Tigers. Figren scored Calgary's lone goal in game 4 on the power play, a 3-1 loss on Apr. 25th. He also added an assist in the Hitmen's 4-3 overtime loss to the Tigers on Apr. 27th. In the series Figren went 2-1-3 in 5 games played, with two points coming on the power play. He finished the year with a three game point scoring streak going 2-1-3 from Apr. 23rd to 27th. In the WHL playoffs, Figren went 4-4-8 in 18 games played. He was named one of the three stars of the game three times in the playoffs, which matched the amount of times he was named one of the three stars of the game during the entire regular season. Figren was described by the Calgary Sun as "a different player during the playoffs."

April 1, 2007: Robin Figren recorded 2 assists in the final 7 regular season games played with the Calgary Hitmen during the month of March. He recorded an assist in a 4-3 win at the Prince George Cougars on Mar. 6th. His other assist came in a 4-3 loss at the Kootenay Ice on Mar. 16th. Calgary posted a 4-3-0 record in March and overall finished the season with a record of 39-26-7. Playoffs: Calgary began their first round best of seven playoff series vs. the Kootenay Ice on Mar. 23rd. After 5 games the Hitmen lead the series 3 games to 2. Figren recorded an assist on the power play in Game 4 vs. Kootenay as the Hitmen won in overtime 5-4.

March 1, 2007: Robin Figren went 2-5-7 in 13 games played with the Calgary Hitmen during the month of February. It was his best month offensively since November. Figren went 1-3-4 on the power play in the month of February. He recorded 2 assists, including one on the game winner in a 4-3 win vs. the Kamloops Blazers on Feb. 18th. Figren was unsuccessful on a shootout attempt Feb. 2nd at Spokane. He recorded 3 points, including 2 goals, in a 9-3 win at the Moose Jaw Warriors on Feb. 23rd. Figren went 2-4-6 during the Hitmen's 4 game winning streak from Feb. 18th to 23rd. Calgary went 8-4-1 in the month of February and they are 35-23-7 overall.

February 1, 2007: Robin Figren went 1-1-2 in 10 games played with the Calgary Hitmen during the month of January. After a solid offensive start in his first season in the WHL throughout October and November, Figren has hit a wall in his production through December and January. He's also struggled a bit defensively, going a -6 in January. His only goal of the month came on the power play, and was the first goal of the game, in a 7-6 shootout win at Lethbridge on Jan. 6th. In that game, Figren left during the first period after taking an open ice hit which would cause him to miss the next 4 games due to a concussion: 1/9 at Medicine Hat, 1/11 vs. Red Deer, 1/13 at Kootenay, and 1/14 vs. Swift Current. His assist came in a 3-2 shootout loss at Swift Current on Jan. 21st. Figren was unsuccessful in a shootout attempt against the Broncos. Calgary went 0-3-1 in the four games Figren missed. They were 5-3-2 with Figren in the lineup and 5-6-3 in January. Overall the Hitmen are 27-19-6.

January 1, 2007: Robin Figren went 1-1-2 in 6 games played during the month of December for the Calgary Hitmen. His goal came on the power play and was the game tying goal with 2:07 remaining in a game the Hitmen would go on to win 3-2 in overtime vs. the Medicine Hat Tigers on Dec. 2nd. He, along with teammate Fredrik Petterson, left on Dec. 10th to join Sweden's World Junior Camp which was held from Dec. 11th to 15th. Figren was named to Sweden's preliminary roster, but he did not make the team. While away at the camp, Figren missed three games with the Hitmen: 12/10 vs. Prince George, 12/13 vs. Chilliwack and 12/15 vs. Kelowna. He returned to the Hitmen lineup on Dec. 28th.

December 1, 2006: Robin Figren went 2-5-7 in 11 games played during the month of November with the WHL's Calgary Hitmen. Had a 3 game assist scoring streak (3 assists) from November 15th to 18th. Scored a goal in the shootout on November 4th in a 3-2 win vs. Vancouver. In the shootout Figren was 1/2 on the month. Both times he was the first shooter for the Hitmen. Figren had a game winning assist in a 4-3 win vs. Kootenay November 15th. He scored the game winning goal in a 5-2 win at Seattle on November 25th. Figren missed one game vs. Prince Albert on November 11th.

November 1, 2006: Robin Figren went 3-2-5 in 12 games played during the month of October with the WHL's Calgary Hitmen. He record his first multiple goal game when he scored twice in a 7-0 win vs. the Swift Current Broncos on October 29th.

October 1, 2006: Robin Figren was returned to the Calgary Hitmen of the WHL on September 26th from New York Islanders training camp. He made his WHL debut September 27, 2006 at the Regina Pats. Figren recorded his first career WHL goal, on the power play, in a 6-3 win at the Brandon Wheat Kings on September 30, 2006. He wears uniform #23.

2006-07 Highlights

* Named third star with a goal in 2-1 win at Lethbridge Hurricanes October 11, 2006
* Named second star with 2 goals (1 PP) in 7-0 win vs. Swift Current Broncos October 29, 2006
* Named first star with 1 goal (PP) & 2 assists in 7-2 win vs. Medicine Hat Tigers November 2, 2006

Playoffs
* Named second star with a goal in 4-3 loss vs. Kootenay Ice April 2, 2007. (Game 6)
* Named third star with an assist in 4-1 win vs. Brandon Wheat Kings April 15, 2007. (Game 6)
* Named first star with a goal in 4-2 win vs. Medicine Hat Tigers April 23, 2007. (Game 3)

Swede Figren out WHL-style post-season hockey
by Scott Fisher, Calgary Sun, Apr. 27, 2007

Robin Figren isn't ready to return to his homeland.

The Swedish winger has scored highlight-reel goals in back-to-back games and has been the Calgary Hitmen's best player in the series.

In fact, he looks like a totally different player than the one who managed 27 points in 62 regular-season games.

"He had a spell during the year when he was down on himself. He wasn't scoring," said Hitmen assistant captain Ryan White of Figren.

The Swede, with his bushy playoff beard, wild locks and big smile, resembles a hairy little gremlin.

He's also playing like a little demon.

"But he has a lot of skill and he plays hard every night," White said.

"He's got some nice goals the last couple games and we need that to continue."

The net is starting to look a little larger to the New York Islanders prospect.

It's a completely different story for his countryman, linemate Freddie Pettersson.

A goal-less drought that has reached 14 games and counting has sapped the flashy Swede of the confidence he's known for.

"It's confidence," Pettersson said of his close friend's playoff performance.

"He's been scoring goals.

"He's using his skill and he's taking the puck to the net."

The rest of the Hitmen would do well to take note of Figren's pair of beauties, which were a direct result of driving to the net from bad angles.

The pair of imports have been two of Calgary's most physical players throughout the post-season.

But Figren said he's not frustrated his teammates haven't followed his lead.

"I think we're working hard," the 19-year-old said.

"Our heart is there but we just have to pay attention to details.

"Chipping pucks in, going to get it, taking the body, it's just details.

"We have to get our heads into it."

And quickly.

Before the guillotine falls on the Hitmen's post-season.

Figren 2007 Playoff Highlights

Game 6 vs. Kootenay: Keegan Dansereau backhanded a rebound past Dakers at 2:21 of the third during a Hitmen power play before Robin Figren scored his first of the post-season at 11:21 to tie the game. "I felt pretty good today," said Figren, who was named the game's second star. "It shows that hard work pays off in the end. Hopefully it works out in Cranbrook."

Game 3 vs. Medicine Hat: "It's the time of year when you've got to shine," said Robin Figren, who scored a clutch goal in the second period to put the Hitmen up 2-0 after Brett Sonne opened the scoring in the first period. "I'm working like everyone else and I really want this. All the guys are working so hard. It feels really good." After Hitmen captain Dylan Yeo broke up a Medicine Hat scoring chance, he passed the puck to Ian Duval who quickly fed it to a streaking Figren. The Swedish speedster than skated into the Medicine Hat zone and cut around Tiger defender Trevor Glass before making a nifty backhand to forehand move to tuck the puck into the net behind netminder Matt Keetley. "That was a great goal by Figgy," said Hitmen coach and general manager Kelly Kisio. "He's a skilled guy when his work ethic is up. He's just got to make sure it's there every night."

Figren, who has played his best hockey in recent weeks, said his team knew the chances of overcoming a 3-0 deficit against the Tigers were minimal.

"It's way harder to come back from 3-0 than 2-1," Figren said. "We were pumped before the game and we have a good feeling in the room.

"This is going to be a good series."

Robin Figren was picked as the Super Drug Mart Super Skating Hitman following game 4.

"So far in the whole playoffs, Robin has worked extremely hard and has been rewarded with a few key playoff goals," said Islanders assistant GM Ryan Jankowski. "He is an up-tempo energetic player and is a key part of the Calgary Hitmen depth that has gotten them this far in the playoffs."

PETTERSSON AND FIGREN TO SHOWCASE SKILLS AT SWEDEN CAMP
hitmenhockey.com, Dec. 11, 2006

Figren, on the other hand, is just as excited to attend this week's camp, but knows he has to make an impression.

"I'm pretty excited. I didn't expect to get invited, but it's going to be fun to see my friends and family and meet all the guys," commented Figren.

Pettersson and Figren left Sunday for Sweden's World Junior Camp, which runs from Dec. 11-15. This year's tournament is being held in the Lake Siljan region of Sweden in Leksand and Mora and takes place from Dec. 26, 2006 to Jan. 5, 2007.

Swede shutout win
Hitmen's 'Viking' duo show no mercy in plundering of Swift Current opponents
by Scott Fisher, Calgary Sun, Oct. 30, 2006

There was a time when Swedes were known for their ruthlessness and brute strength.

It's been nearly 12 centuries since the horn-helmeted Europeans toured the continent in search of land and treasure.

But Calgary Hitmen imports Robin Figren and Freddie Pettersson are going old school.

Late in last night's 7-0 decimation of the Swift Current Broncos, Figren saw his countryman and linemate lying in the opposition crease taking cross-check after cross-check.

Figren rushed to the rescue and took a punch to the beak for his effort.

"We're Swedish Vikings so we stand up for each other on the ice," explained Pettersson, who, along with Figren, played a major role in the blowout.

"That's what I like to see. I would do the same for him but I'm not a fighter."

Neither is Figren, who scored twice as the Hitmen (9-6-0-1) won their third straight.

"I need a new nose," Figren offered as he walked out of the dressing room to meet the media. "I was trying to help Freddie and I got a punch right in the face. So, I just decided to go to the bench."

Keegan Dansereau also potted a pair and Pettersson had three assists. Brodie Dupont, Brett Sonne and Derek LeBlanc chipped in with singles.

The Pettersson-Figren-Sonne trio combined for seven points on the night.

"We're like the Swedish meatballs," Figren said. "And then we have Sonne.

"We're going to try to learn him some Swedish. Maybe we'll adopt him as a Swede."

Sonne seems to fit in with the 'Vikings.' With five minutes to go, Broncos winger Dale Weise nearly KOed Pettersson with an open-ice hit. Sonne immediately dropped the gloves to go for his Gordie Howe hat-trick.

The three stars were Hitmen LW Freddie Pettersson, RW Robin Figren and RW Keegan Dansereau.

Hitmen sock it to Broncos
by Allen Cameron, Calgary Herald, Oct. 30, 2006

Robin Figren came out of the Calgary Hitmen locker-room with his bloody nose swollen to the size of a plum and a grin that spread from ear to ear.

There's something about scoring twice in a 7-0 win over the Swift Current Broncos that makes the pain go away.

"Oh, it feels so good," said the talented Swede, following Sunday night's Western Hockey League triumph before 7,004 fans at the Pengrowth Saddledome. "It's so much more fun to win a game; you can hear the music in there. We're not allowed to speak when we lose a game."

Figren, who patrols the right side on a line with fellow Swede Freddie Pettersson and Brett Sonne, picked up the wound in the third period, taking a fist to the schnozz in defence of Pettersson, who'd been crosschecked to the ice.

Sonne also stepped up, scrapping with the Broncos' Dale Weise after he'd laid out Pettersson with a borderline dirty check.

"Oh yeah," said a smiling Sonne, who finished with a Gordie Howe hat trick (goal, assist, fight). "You gotta look out for the cute little Swedes, right?"

Rest assured, Pettersson -- the older of the two "cute little Swedes" -- was grateful for his linemates' support.

"We're Swedish Vikings, right? We stand up for each other. And we have a Canadian Viking in Brett Sonne, who stood up and took a fight for me, and I really appreciate that," said Pettersson, who had a three-assist night.

"But Robin, I don't know -- I had the puck on the goal-line, and I thought I was going to score, but I just didn't do it. But it was nice of him to take that punch."

The Broncos didn't muster much else during their third game in three nights, presenting Hitmen goalie Daniel Spence with arguably the easiest shutout he'll ever get in the Dub, a 15-save effort.

At the other end, Calgary native Kyle Moir was thrown under the bus by a listless defence in front of him, and faced 46 shots (nice of Broncos coach Dean Chynoweth to let Moir absorb that punishment in front of friends and family).

Other Calgary marksmen were Keegan Dansereau with a pair, Derek LeBlanc and Brodie Dupont (extending his point streak to 10 games), while Steve Covington matched Pettersson's three-assist night.

For Pettersson, it was easily his best game since returning from a knee injury earlier this month.

"I'm taking a lot of shots -- I haven't been scoring much, but I think it's going to come," said Pettersson. "I had a few chances today; I'm close."

Figren, too, received a badly needed jolt of confidence with his third and fourth goals of the season.

"I haven't scored a lot of goals, and I know I can do much better," he said. "It feels way better today; I think our whole line played good and we had a lot of chances."

And the Hitmen, 5-for-8 on the power play Sunday, finally got off the schneid with their first three-game win streak of the campaign, boosting their record to 9-6-0-1 going into tonight's game at Medicine Hat.

"It's a step forward," said Sonne. "And now we're focused on the next step."

Hitmen's second Swede eager to show off skills
Figren to get first taste of action against Pats
by John Down, Calgary Herald, Sept. 27, 2006

Robin Figren, the other Swede with the Calgary Hitmen, has been itching for tonight all summer.

The 18-year-old winger, who was selected in the first round of the Canadian Hockey League's European draft, finally will get to play his first game in the Western Hockey League when the Hitmen meet the host Regina Pats (Fan 960 internet, 7 p.m.) tonight.

"It feels like I want to go out and play right now,'' smiled the five-foot-11, 181-pounder prior to boarding the team bus, "but have to wait until (Wednesday). I've waited for this so long, the whole summer . . . every day since I got drafted by Calgary.''

The Hitmen aren't 100 per cent sure what Figren will bring to the Central Division team since they have yet to see him in anything other than practice. Kelly Kisio, general manager and head coach, opted not to play him in the team's first pre-season game. After that, the third-round selection of the New York Islanders was off to the National Hockey League team's rookie camp and only returned Monday.

"From the little we've seen of him, we thought he got better and better as we went in practices,'' said Kisio, "but we think he's an energetic guy, a skilled guy who can hopefully put the puck in the net.''

While Figren, a pal of second-year Hitman Freddie Pettersson, is still riding a bit of a high from his first NHL camp, where he got to play two exhibition games against U.S. college teams, he has fallen in love with Calgary.

"I didn't have a lot of opportunities in Sweden. I wanted to play in the Elite League and didn't get the chance,'' he said. "I talked to Freddie he said I should come here because everything is great.

"I knew my billets from the Mac's Tournament two years ago and I talked to them about everything. Now, I am starting to think of moving here, play hockey here for real. I think I did a right choice.

"Everything is so good. I like the hockey, of course. I like all the people, the city. I love it so much.''

Figren picked up 30 points, including 11 goals, in 39 games with the Frolunda junior team last season and says he hasn't set any statistical goals with the Hitmen.

"I just want to have a great season,'' he said. "I want to show everybody that Sweden can play hockey, too. I don't have a special goal.''

Although the former linemate of Pettersson and Red Deer's slick Kirill Starkov on Frolunda will make his debut tonight, Figren has already noticed how much quicker the game is in the WHL.

"It's way faster here,'' he said, "but I knew it was going to be faster because of the smaller rink. When you're in your own zone and are going to get the puck from the D-man, you have no time to think . . . you have to think faster.''

Figren practised with veteran centre Riley Merkley and 20-year-old winger Steve Covington on Tuesday on one of the team's five forward lines. Still missing is Pettersson who continues to rehab from a knee injury suffered during one of the Edmonton Oilers' pre-season games last week.

Would Kisio unite Figren with Pettersson?

"We'll see how things go once we get Freddie back,'' said the coach. "Some guys don't have chemsitry together. You never know until you play somebody with somebody.''

This and That: This is Figren's fourth trip to North America this year, he was in Toronto for the CHL draft, then at New York for the Isles conditioning camp, at Lake Placid, N.Y., for a tournament and now Calgary.

Figren returns to Hitmen
Calgary Herald, Sept. 26, 2006

The unbeaten Western Hockey League club welcomed back rookie Swedish import Robin Figren from the New York Islanders training camp and then released six-foot-five defenceman Marc Defoe.

Figren, who has yet to lace up for any of the club's four pre-season or two regular season games, was a third round draft choice of the Islanders this summer, taken 70th overall.

The 18-year-old left winger, a good friend of second-year Hitmen star Freddie Pettersson, was taken in the first round, 19th overall, by the Hitmen in this past summer's Canadian Hockey League import draft.

Figren will practice with the team today and join the lineup for the team's three-game road trip through Saskatchewan and Manitoba that opens Wednesday at Regina.

Living the Swede life
Hitmen duo eager for season to get underway
by Scott Fisher, Calgary Sun, Aug. 27, 2006

Freddie Pettersson will attend the Edmonton Oilers camp Sept. 9.

In the meantime, he’s acting as a tour guide for countryman Robin Figren, who made his debut at camp Sunday.

The two Swedes have been friends for years and live together with the same billets (Glenn and Susan Gray).

“We used to play together in Sweden,” Pettersson said. “We’re buddies and we won two championships together.

“He’s a great player.”

Pettersson is looking forward to having Figren around this season.

“First, Freddie Sjostrom was here, then I came, now Robin. I don’t know, maybe the Hitmen like Swedes.”

Pettersson’s enthusiasm appears to have rubbed off on Figren, a New York Islanders prospect.

“I’m so excited,” Figren said. “In Sweden, we don’t play in front of fans."

“Freddie has told me how good it is here. He really loves it.”

 

	Isles Select RW Robin Figren 70th Overall
	July 24, 2006:  RW Robin Figren Born: March 7, 1988, Stockholm, Sweden 2005-06: Frolunda Jr. (SWE) Shoots: Right CSB:  29th among European Skaters

CSB: A fast, quick skater with great acceleration and balance....excellent hands, very good puck control....has a quick release and a good selection of shots....great offensive instincts....takes advantage of scoring chances....an aggressive player with a great attitude....not very big but plays with intensity....fearless and plays an aggressive style of hockey....has a winning attitude, never gives up.

Islanders Scouts: "Robin has an honest work ethic that fits the Islanders' mold," said head European scout Ryan Jankowski. "He plays hard and has a good dimension of skill. Robin moves the puck well and has excellent vision."

Redline Report: Plays an up-tempo, in your face game. Very involved and can be an offensive force, though he doesn't have the hands to finish. Team sparkplug on offence is a feisty agitator who gets under opponents skin. Slick and quick with the puck in tight spaces. Can make moves in a phone booth. Quick stop/starts and cuts gain separation. Protects the puck well, moves his feet and draws a lot of penalties. Aggressive and finishes checks. Is able to win battles for loose pucks against bigger foes on the forecheck through sheer determination. Has a quick release but lacks a finisher's touch around net. Responsible defensively. Comes back hard on the backcheck and is disruptive on the PK.

Facts: Figren has been a teammate of fellow Islander draft picks Kim Johansson & Stefan Ridderwall....TV-pucken winner 2003-04 & 2004-05....J18 Allsvenskan champion 04/05....islesinfo.com: a possible good description for Figren is he's a sniper....Drafted 17th overall by the WHL's Calgary Hitmen in the 2006 CHL Import Draft on January 28, 2006.

Accomplishments

- Most points (J18-Allsvenskan 2005)
- Most goals (J18-Allsvenskan 2005)
- Most penalty minutes (J18-Allsvenskan 2005)
- was named MVP for several games at the 5 Nations U18 Tournament 2006

NHL Central Scouting Video
http://mfile.akamai.com/16532/wmv/nhl.do...en_700.asx

HITMEN TRADE UP TO SELECT ROBIN FIGREN IN THE CHL IMPORT DRAFT
June 28, 2006 Press Release - hitmenhockey.com

Calgary, AB - Calgary Hitmen General Manager and Head Coach Kelly Kisio announced today the selection of Robin Figren 17th overall in the 2006 CHL Import Draft.

Figren is a 5’11” 175 lbs. left winger from Frolunda, Sweden. The 18 year-old is a 3rd round draft choice of the New York Islanders, taken 70th overall in the 2006 NHL Entry Draft.

“Figren has a good shot and can score,” says Kisio. “Scout’s I’ve talked to also say he’s very good in the offensive zone, plays hard and is a great skater.”

The Hitmen were originally slated to pick 57th overall but moved up to 17th by completing a deal with the Lethbridge Hurricanes. The Hitmen sent 19 year-old Czech forward Lukas Vantuch to the ‘Canes in exchange for the 17th overall pick and 18 year-old forward Isaac Reid.

2006 IIHF U18 World Championship: Day 6 Game Recap
iihf.com

Sweden – Slovakia 5-2 (3:0, 2:1, 0:1)
For both Sweden and Slovakia a berth into the playoff round was on the line entering tonight's last Group B game in Halmstad, and thanks to a stunning special teams effort, it was host Sweden who earned the coveted spot skating to a 5-2 win and to second place in the group. 

Sweden scored three five-on three goals and also had a shorthanded tally in the special teams show. The only equal strength goal of the game came 11:07 into the action when Viktor Sjodin broke the scoreless tension to make it 1-0. The goal helped swing the momentum to Sweden's favor as 1:45 later Robin Figren scored a textbook five-on-three goal with a one-timer. Just over a minute later Tomas Larsson made it a 3-0 game with the second two-man advantage tally. 

Patrik Berglund opened up the second period scoring for Sweden with a breakaway, shorthanded goal. Figren then netted his second goal of the game with virtually the same goal he scored in the first period, to make it a dominant 5-0 Swedish advantage.

Frolunda 2005-06 Notes - iihf.com

The flurry of injuries mean that the coaching duo Stephan Lundh/Jan Karlsson had to call up 17-year old (born -88) forward Robin Figren for the game at Brynas on Dec. 29, 2005. Figren is the seventh junior player recalled to the A-squad since the start of the season.

ISS Rising Players

Robin Figren / Vastra: Figren was dynamic in each of Sweden's games and scored several pro goals at different stages of the tournament. He lacks some size but he is strong enough to compete against his older brethren and has a shot that reminds us of Brett Hull. He also possesses that innate ability to find seams in the defensive zone and capitalize on the opportunities that he garners from that trait. His competitiveness and his strong leadership are other traits that we love and in the tournament he exhibited these under difficult circumstances, when you consider the Swedes had a disappointing performance.

eliteprospects.com

Figren is a very flashy forward. An excellent skater with superb endurance, he checks very hard and is a good two-way player. Figren has also some great offensive tools, including a good goal-scoring ability, nice technical skills and a killer shot, which is especially valuable on the power play. He does not have any major flaws, but his size is not intimidating and at times Figren can appear to be a tad selfish with the puck.