After scoring the shootout-winning goal in the CHL quarter-finals, American centre Rob Schremp of Skelleftea AIK looks forward to spending Christmas in Sweden, and playing the semi-finals against rival Lulea Hockey.

by Derek O'Brien

SKELLEFTEA – Rob Schremp signed a contract to play for Skelleftea AIK in late September missing the entire group stage of the CHL. However, the 28-year-old centre played a role in getting his team into the semi-finals, scoring the only goal in the decisive shootout against Linkoping HC in the quarter-finals. A veteran of 114 NHL games, the former first-round pick of the Edmonton Oilers is now playing his fourth season in Europe, where he'll try to help Skelleftea repeat as Swedish Hockey League champions.

What was the feeling within the team heading to overtime after giving up those two late goals? Was it difficult to put that behind you and go out and play? 

We still felt confident because the two goals they scored were on the 5-on-3 and the 5-on-4, so once we were back to even strength we were comfortable.

You scored the only goal in the shootout and you put quite a move on the goalie. Can you describe what you did?

To be honest it's difficult for me to explain. I never really go down on a shootout with a plan, I just kind of react to whatever I see when I get down to the goalie.

Watch the game highlights here, with Schremp's shootout goal beginning at 2:20.

Do you consider penalty shots and shootouts to be a strength of yours? 

I have been doing the shootouts since they came in in 2005 with the rule changes. The shootout was a big part of what got me a role on the New York Islanders. When I was new there I was playing around six to 10 minutes a game and then I would shoot in the shootout, so that pressure has given me some experience with shootout nerves and taught me to stay calm.

You're now in the Final Four. How important is it for Skelleftea to win this?

As a team, we are excited about the chance to win but we still have a lot of work to do before that happens.

Your opponent now is Lulea, an SHL opponent. What do you know about them?

Lulea is a hard-working team with really strong systems, so for us to have a chance we need to play a really good team game.

For people outside of Sweden who don't know, what can you say about the Skelleftea-Lulea rivalry?

The fans of both teams are very passionate for their teams and with the way both Lulea and Skelleftea play neither team wants to back down so that has created a great hockey atmosphere for both the players and the fans.

Three of the four teams left are from Sweden. Why do you think that is? 

The SHL has a great balance throughout all of the teams. It's a very hard-working league with every team playing with structure. The goaltenders are very strong and teams play with such discipline in the defensive zone that as an offensive player you have to make two or three strong plays in a row to get a goal.

There are a lot of new players on the Skelleftea club this year – you're one of them – yet the team continues to be dominant in the Swedish league. Why is that? 

The Skelleftea AIK organization is very strong and they have a formula here that has proven successful. As players, we train really hard on and off the ice so that has brought us together as a team. It has a very strong family feeling here.

You didn't play in the CHL group stage, but you did play in the European Trophy last year for Zug. What do you think about European inter-league competitions like this? 

The inter-Europe games are very interesting, to see how teams play in other countries and other leagues is a great experience for the players and the fans.

This is now your fourth year in Europe. How much of an adjustment was it when you first came over? Is there further adjustment moving from country to country within Europe?

It was a big adjustment at first with the bigger ice surface and how fast the players skate here. Changing leagues is always tough. A coach of mine told me back in junior hockey that when you go to a new league, be ready to struggle offensively for the first 10 to 15 games because that's how long it usually takes a player to adjust to all the factors. What he told me has been true every year and that's why it's important to play on a team like Skelleftea. They are patient with players and they realize the championship is in April, not September.

Are you going to spend Christmas in Sweden? Are you used to spending Christmases away from home now? What is the biggest difference between Christmas in America and in Europe? 

I am spending Christmas in Sweden. I've been away from home for Christmas since I was 16, so it's nothing new for me to be away. I'm not sure what the biggest differences are but I really enjoy the Christmas markets and all the cool Swedish and European traditions I have gotten to see.