WILKES-BARRE, Pa. – About four years ago, defenseman Lukas Bengtsson and some of his teammates from Mora IK (of the HockeyAllvenskan Swedish league) were invited to train for two weeks in Los Angeles with current NHL stars Anze Kopitar and Bobby Ryan.
Until signing his two-year entry-level contract with the Penguins in April, that was the most time he’d ever spent in the United States. So, naturally, there’s been a significant degree of culture shock for the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins rookie.
“It’s tough to walk here, you need a car,” Bengtsson said, explaining that foot travel is one of the primary modes of transportation in Sweden. “So I’ve got my Uber drivers on the team, especially Dominik Simon. I think he’s getting tired of driving me.”
On the ice, Bengtsson has needed no help finding his way.
The Stockholm, Sweden, native overcame a long bout with Lyme disease earlier this year and is now one of the top defensemen for the Penguins. Since his first game in late November, he has six points and a plus-11 rating. The latter is tops among team defensemen with the exception of David Warsofsky, his usual blue line partner who was reassigned from Pittsburgh on Sunday.
But just a couple of months ago, Bengtsson was too sick to even skate.
He first began showing symptoms of Lyme disease shortly after winning the Swedish Hockey League championship with Frölunda HC on April 24, and they persisted well into the rookie tournament in September.
With antibiotics alone seemingly not working, he was forced to stay off the ice for about a month and a half.
“It was a rough time, being in bed all the time,” Bengtsson said. “Now, I just rather not think about it because, every time I feel tired, you think, ‘Oh, maybe it’s the Lyme disease again.’"
“It sucks, but it’s something I had to battle through, and I feel myself getting stronger.”
Now, Bengtsson is showcasing his versatility in Wilkes-Barre/Scranton. He was a forward through much of his childhood, only converting to a defenseman at age 16.
He scored his first goal against Rochester on Dec. 16, and he hasn’t taken a penalty in nearly a month. His disciplined play has earned him multiple roles on the team.
“I think he’s transitioned well (to the AHL),” Penguins coach Clark Donatelli said. “He moves the puck well. He’s both a penalty killer and on the power play on special teams. He plays against top lines.
“He’s got a little (expletive) and vinegar to him, so we like him. He’s got a lot of upside.”
One of Bengtsson’s biggest adjustments to American hockey was the speed of the game, especially with puck movement. But he said he caught up fairly quickly and now feels like he’s been playing for a full season, when in reality it’s been a fraction of that.
The culture shock will eventually wear off, too. But if he ever feels homesick, he can always lean on fellow countryman Oskar Sundqvist. The two converse regularly.
“It’s always nice to have someone to talk in Swedish with,” Sundqvist said.
For now, Bengtsson’s focus is on helping the Penguins win the division and compete for a Calder Cup. After winning the title last season with Frölunda, he learned there’s no greater satisfaction than helping a team be the last one standing after the grind of a long campaign.
“You want to stand there at the end of the season and have won everything,” he said. “It’s a special feeling, and it’s something I want to do again.”
MORE FROM WILKES-BARRE
• Dec. 26: at Binghamton Senators, 5-4 win
• Dec. 27: vs. Springfield Thunderbirds, 5-3 win
• Dec. 30: vs. Providence Bruins, 5-2 loss
• Dec. 31: at Binghamton Senators, 3-2 loss
Rookie forward Jake Guentzel maintained his torrid offensive pace, recording six goals and two assists over the Penguins’ last four games. Conversely, Casey DeSmith allowed eight goals over the weekend, losing his first two starts. Regular starter Tristan Jarry was reassigned to the team Sunday, along with Warsofsky and defenseman Chad Ruhwedel
Next: The Penguins host Hartford, Hershey and Binghamton this week before packing their bags for seven consecutive games on the road.
Goal of the week: Guentzel had a hat trick on Dec. 27; this is the first of those three goals:
DRAFT PICK UPDATES
• Goaltender Filip Gustavsson (second round in 2016) made one start for Sweden at the World Junior Championships last week, making 36 saves in a 5-2 victory over the Czech Republic on Saturday.
• Forward Kasper Bjorkqvist (second round in 2016) competed in four games and scored one goal for Finland at the World Junior Championships. He has three points in 11 games this season with Providence College.
• Forward Daniel Sprong (second round in 2015) returned to the Charlottetown Islanders of the QMJHL for practice after having offseason shoulder surgery. He has not skated in any games.
BEYOND THE AHL
Forward Sam Lafferty, Pittsburgh’s fourth-round pick in 2014, continued his breakout junior season with Brown University, posting four points (1G-3A) in an 8-8 tie with Arizona State. The Hollidaysburg native has 18 points in 14 games this season.
WHEELING WATCH
Pittsburgh’s ECHL affiliate opened the week with a 4-3 loss to Toledo on Tuesday before splitting its weekend slate — a 4-2 loss to Reading and 5-2 win over Elmira. Rookie defenseman Kevin Schulze scored two goals in Saturday’s victory and leads the team with 26 points.
Next: The Nailers (15-12-2-0, fifth in North Division) again face Toledo — the league’s top team — on Friday and close the weekend by hosting Cincinnati on Sunday.
Goal of the week: 6-foot-7 defenseman Christian Hilbrich scores against Toledo on Dec. 27, extending his point streak to 6 games. The former Cornell captain was at the Penguins development camp this past summer and is on an AHL contract.
PROSPECT WATCH
A look at how the Penguins' prospects and other minor leaguers have done this season. All players are listed with games played through Jan. 1:
- Hall underwent season-ending shoulder surgery after suffering an injury in a game against Sarnia On Nov. 23.
