17-year-old Magnus Leth Nielsen has started a professional career in Lithuania
One of the Danish Ice Hockey Defence talents, 17-year-old Magnus Leth Nielsen, going against the flow.
When other Danish hockey talents are moving to Sweden or North America, the former AaB player has started a professional career in the Russian junior league, MHL, in Vilnius, Lithuania, the southernmost of the three Baltic countries.
-Of course it is a little unorthodox to play in a Russian league and I talked a lot with my family and others about it before I accepted the offer, says Magnus Leth Nielsen to sporten.dk
-I could play in Sweden, but MHL sounded interesting. It's a tough school and a challenge; it was hard to say no to. It is a junior league with strong players from many countries. On our team; HC Baltica, there are players from five nations.
HC Baltica season debut at home with a 5-2 victory over the Moscow-Zelenograd team. Magnus Leth Nielsen began on the fourth line, but played the last two periods on the second line and had an assist on the 3-2 goal.
-The training is tough and serious, and the level is high. Many plays in the league to pursue a career in the KHL, and of course it is also a dream for me, says the young player from North Jutland.
Only 17 years old, Magnus Leth Nielsen, is the youngest player in HC Baltica. He is small for a defender with his 73 kg and 1.78 meters, but he is fast on his skates and very mobile and has great offensive qualities.
-I have adapted well to Vilnius and happy with the many new impressions both on and off the ice. The whole team is staying at a hotel and I share a room with a slovak, he says.
