Intense goalie has passion to succeed

Sudbury Wolves star goalie Sebastian Dahm has come a long way from Denmark to become one of the best in the OHL.
Recently, the puck stopper talked to Northern Life reporter Scott Haddow about hockey and life.

SH: Growing up in Denmark, who did you idolize and respect?
SD: My father. He always supported me in anything I did...even when I played tennis and golf. It was joy to watch him play when I was younger. I love sports. We have a long history of sports in our country and it makes me proud to represent Denmark around the world. My idol was a goalie named Peter Hirsch who played for the Bakersfield Condors and did a great job in the Swedish Elite League.
SH: You watched a lot of your father's games, what kind of effect did he have on your life?
SD: My mom and dad divorced when I was five years old. It was a nice break up and they remained close friends, living five minutes away from each other. I spent a week with each. I spent a lot of time alone with my dad and he taught me a lot about hockey and sports. He showed me how to take the joys of it and have fun. He taught me how hard work pays off and if you don't work for something, you'll never get it.

SH: How and why did you come to Canada and the OHL?
SD: I used to play junior in Sweden at the highest level. I represented Team Denmark at an international tournament one time and an agent liked what he saw and told me about the opportunities available for me in Canada. He explained to me about the OHL and how it was a window to the pro leagues of North America. It was something I wanted to do. I was drafted into the OHL by Belleville. I left home to play in Sweden at 16 and then left Sweden at 18 to play in the OHL.

SH : Do you ever get a chance to go back to Denmark?
SD: Yes, at the end of each season I go back for six to eight weeks. It depends sometimes. Like last season my trip was cut short because of the long playoff run. I didn't mind. In fact, I would take a short visit home any day for another long playoff run. When I am back, I visit with family and friends and take a holiday.

SH: What do you miss most about home?
SD: My family. I have two younger sisters - Freja and Mathilde - who are four and two. I miss seeing them grow up each day. I miss my parents a lot too. When you live with your parents you don't realize how much you'll miss them when you're not with them.

SH: What has the OHL experience being like for you in Belleville, Sarnia and now Sudbury?
SD: It's been a tremendous experience. I've learned and grown a lot. It has helped me a lot with my hockey career. The OHL is known as one of the best hockey leagues in the world and it is. It's about winning and it's a long season. In Sweden, we only played half the games. There's a lot more pressure and wear and tear on the body. I like it and that's why I came here...to get that professional experience. I've grown mentally a lot in my three years and I've developed a lot as a player.

SH: What kind of competitor do you see yourself?
SD: I would say my strongest tool is the way I compete and battle and want to win. I've always had to work hard to get where I was going. I'm never going to sell myself short. I'm always working on improving my overall game. Talent alone will not take me to the next level. Having a strong work ethic is important and will get you places.

SH: Where does your raging competitive fire come from?
SD: It definitely comes from my dad. He's a little guy, about five-foot-six, but he was competitive. A perfect example is when he and I talk about hockey. We both get really excited...maybe too excited. His new wife has to tell us to relax and not to yell and scream. We're both intense and passionate about the game of hockey. We get emotional when we talk hockey...it just happens. It's a good thing though.

SH: Who are some of the toughest players you've faced in the OHL?
SD: There's a couple of guys who are now in the pros - Rob Schremp and Wojtek Wolski. Schremp had an amazing shot. Wolski was a dominating player. It was an honour playing against guys like that...they only made me better.

SH: Off the top of your head, who are some of the best players you've had as teammates?
SD: In Belleville, it was Andrew Gibbons and Evan Brophey. Gibbons was a defensive specialist and one of the best leaders I've ever seen in my time in the OHL. Brophey was highly skilled and could score. In Sudbury, it was Marc Staal and Nick Foligno. They both had great skill. I was always amazed at the way Staal could shut down other team's top players. Foligno had a huge will and was a big spirit in the dressing room and could pick guys up. They were both a huge influence in the way I carry myself around in the room and interact with the players.

SH: What do you love most about playing in Sudbury?
SD: I love the fans. I love that they're passionate, win or lose. If we don't play good, they let us know (laughs). Some guys may not like it, but I would much rather have fans on top of us when we're not doing our best than just having a quiet crowd. It's just a great hockey town too in Sudbury...a nice play to live.

SH: What do you like about the city?
SD: It's a fairly big city with a smaller city atmosphere. A lot of people know one another. I can go around town and say hello to people and they say hi back. You don't get that in big towns.

SH: Is there any aspect of the Canadian culture you've grown accustomed to?
SD: I love the way Canadians look at sports. You have two national television channels dedicated to sports and hockey. It's something I really, really miss when I go back home. We don't have that in Denmark. The way so many people are passionate about hockey. Here, grandmothers, little girls and boys...everyone knows something about hockey. It's great.

SH: What's you motivation and drive for this season?
SD: For me, it's all about helping this young group of guys make the playoffs. That's the goal. We're working towards that everyday. It's going to be tough to do and it will be close. We might have to go for one of the final spots. We have a shot at it and I want us to get there.

SH: Do you want to end your season and career in Sudbury?
SD: I haven't thought about it. I can't think about the future. I am not worrying about the future like that. I want to stay and make the playoffs with this team. If I get traded, it will be a new opportunity to do something else. It happens in hockey. Until that happens, everything I do is to help Sudbury win.

SH: If an NHL team needed a goalie and it was you, what team would you want to go to and why?
SD: It would be the New York Rangers...they're my favourite team. I've always been fascinated with the size and power of the city. I've always liked the Rangers with players like Mark Messier in the past and now with Jaromir Jagr. They like European players, so that's also appealing to me.