Victor Eklund, the New York Islanders' 19-year-old Swedish prospect, is settling into NHL life with the help of veteran teammates Emil Heineman and Simon Holmstrom.
Lacking a car or a U.S. driver's license, Eklund has relied on Heineman and Holmstrom, both 25, to act as his "personal Uber drivers" and assist with the challenges of adjusting to a new country and living independently for the first time.
"We’ve been his personal Uber drivers since he got here," Holmstrom told The Post. "And, I don’t know, he likes to take his time when we’re trying to pick him up," Heineman added.
Eklund, who didn't know if he would make the team or stay in the NHL after training camp, initially lived in a hotel. After surpassing the 10-game mark in his contract, he has begun settling into an apartment in the same complex as Holmstrom and Heineman, furnished with a mix of new items and "borrowed" furniture from his teammates.
"It looks like a mix of our old apartments, it’s pretty funny," Heineman said of Eklund's new living space. "We got some new stuff and he got our old couch and Simon’s bed or something. He got a lot of stuff from our places."
On the ice, Eklund has impressed with his performance. Coach Pete DeBoer noted Eklund's strong motor and battle level, stating, "He makes mistakes, but he makes the right read. He digs in on the walls and wins more than his share of battles. He’s on the right side of the puck all the time, which is rare for a young player."
Eklund expressed his commitment to continued hard work despite his improved situation. "It’s nice [to be out of the hotel], but I’m not gonna stop working," he said. "I’m gonna work even harder."
Holmstrom and Heineman's support extends to offering Eklund dinner, a gesture they also provided when Heineman first moved to Long Island. This mentorship is seen as paying it forward, with the expectation that Eklund will, in turn, help future Swedish players joining the Islanders.
"I think your teammates are always a massive part of everything to make you feel comfortable," Holmstrom said. "We’re just trying to do as much as we can. We’re here for him. Whatever he needs, you just gotta ask and we’ll be right here for him."