Joakim Axen '15 Recruiting Profile

Hi, my name is Joakim Axen and I'm a 22 year old goaltender from Sweden. Since I was young, I have always dreamed about going to college and play hockey here in the United States. This is a goal I have worked hard for and now I'm finally here. I like to push myself everyday to become a better hockey player, but also a better person off the ice. Getting a degree here in the States would help me to find a job within my major later on in life but my main goal though is to play hockey as long as a can.

Last season I played for Broome CC Hornets in the Njcaa where I was awarded as an all American 1:st rookie team in the end of the season. I got recruited by coach Bill O'Neill to Salem State University for this season where i was supposed to take over the starting position. After 9 weeks of the try out season, I got bit by a tick and got Lyme disease. This was a really bad timing for this and I had to be on medication for 3 weeks. Coach couldn't keep my spot on the roster when we found out that I had to be on medication and rehab before I could get back and compete on the NCAA level again. Today I'm feeling great and I'm in the best shape I've been in since a long time back. I decided to Red-Shirt this season and save my eligibility so I can focus for next season knowing that I still have 3 years of college hockey left.

One of my big idols has always been Henrik Lundquist. The reason why I look up to him is simply because he is one of the best goal tenders in the world at the moment. Henrik is also an amazing guy off the ice and he really knows how to behave as an athlete star should do. He is really competitive and hates to lose which is a factor that you need to have as a goalie, you have to battle for every puck and never give up. People say that I look a like Henrik on the ice a lot. I hear that all the time and it is something that i feel proud of.