He comes to Zug with as many advance praise as have some mercenaries before him: Anton Lander. Striker, 30 years old, and the fourth Swede alongside Carl Klingberg, Christian Djoos and Niklas Hansson in the master’s foreign quintet.
In the spring, Lander was one of the most popular centers on the transfer market. Other Swiss clubs such as the SCB also had an eye on him. But he decided in favor of the EVZ – because it has been praised in the highest tones.
In addition to talks with sports director Reto Kläy and trainer Dan Tangnes, Lander also made inquiries with some of his fellow countrymen who already played for Zug or are still doing it: buddy Linus Omark, long-time Nati companion Klingberg and ex-NHL star Henrik Zetterberg.
The latter made a guest appearance at EV Zug during the 2012/13 NHL lockout – and was once Lander’s idol. He revealed this in an interview after his draft in 2009 (2nd round, from Edmonton). Lander and Zetterberg, who is ten years older, both come from Sundsvall (Sd) and grew up at Timra IK. “Back then, we younger players all looked up to him,” recalls the new EVZ striker.
Less spectacular, but efficient
In his draft year, Lander was one of 24 (!) Swedes selected by NHL teams. Right from the start, he not only attracted attention because of his talent on the ice, but also because of his leadership qualities. He combines an overview of the game with offensive talent and a defensive conscience. According to sports director Kläy, he can “pull a team away. It may look a little less spectacular for him, but he plays very efficiently ». Lander brings the whole package with it.
Anyone who is familiar with Kläy’s selection process knows that the EVZ sports director attaches just as much importance to the person behind the player. His character also has to fit into the team structure. “He is dutiful, helpful to the team and very humble,” he says of the center, for which this is something new after six years in the NHL (Edmonton) and most recently four seasons in the Russian KHL (Yaroslavl, Kazan). “That you want to get to know people like here in Zug, I haven’t had this feeling for a long time,” emphasizes Lander.
“Grown up quickly”
He attributes the fact that he also scores with his personality to his early promotion as a junior in Timra’s SHL team. “When I was 16, I made my debut in the top division. I grew up quickly there. We had great leaders in the dressing room, from whom I could learn how to deal with teammates. “
Speaking of teammates, Carl Klingberg has known Lander since their teenage years and when they were together in Sweden’s junior competitions. “Anton had what it takes to be a captain early on,” says Klingberg. Lander was his in the U20 and U18. “He can lead a team, and you like to have him in your dressing room,” continues the Zug master striker.
His wife Malin (32) has known him even longer. “I was twelve when we met,” says Lander. The Swede is his childhood sweetheart, followed the center, who went to Edmonton at the age of 20, to Canada a year later and has always been by his side ever since. “I’m very grateful to her for that.” The couple have two sons, Viggo (5) and Bo (soon to be 2).
Don’t steal anyone’s time
The family is one of the reasons for moving to Zug. After years of long road trips in the KHL, NHL and AHL, Lander sleeps in his bed at home after every game. He loves things to do with his family, accompanies Viggo to kids soccer training. But hockey should also be a topic there, because teammate Jan Kovar (Tsch), who was named the most valuable player of the last season, will be there with his son Theodor.
And like almost every Swede, Lander likes to go fishing. “I already infected Viggo with it. So much so that I read him bedtime stories about fishing, ”says the father of two and laughs. In this digital age, nature is all the more important. What else is important to him? “I’m always on time because I don’t want to keep other people waiting and so steal their time.” And in sport, the only thing that matters to him is the team, “and that everyone is ready to pay the price for it”. On the way to a possible title defense.