Jonathan Bodas, 29, slåss om en VM-plats.
Meanwhile, the star defender Skellefteå AIK is being chased by several NHL clubs.
It’s, of course, a self-confidence booster, he says.
Games in the Olympics and 44 points in 42 games of the SHL did not go unnoticed.
Jonathan Bodas Agent Thomas Sjögren recently told Folkbladet that there was palpable interest from three or four NHL clubs, at the same time many had heard of him.
It’s fun for people to appreciate what you do on the ice, says Pudas himself when we met him during the Beijer hockey games.
Is this fun?
Yes, the NHL is still the NHL. The best league in the world. It is of course very fun. Then we’ll see where it lands.
Want to hold in one direction
In which direction do you lean?
– It’s hard to say. We said there was full focus on fighting for a place in the World Cup with the national team and we would have to take the other one after that, or if something happened in the meantime. But for me, it’s about doing my best for the national team.
Pudas, who turns 30 next year, previously said a one-way contract would likely be required – meaning he would keep his salary regardless of whether he plays in the NHL or AHL – to lure him and his family across the Atlantic.
– This is correct. We have two little girls in the house so if we go away now there should be a good and honest chance to play there. One-way contracts are what we aim for, I would say spontaneously.
Everyone is here for a reason.
Bodas was named a match liar in Thursday’s loss to the Czech Republic and was praised by national team captain Johan Garbenlov afterwards.
It gets tighter and tighter around places. Everyone is here for a reason. He says the goal is to try to reach Tampere.
The Ice Hockey World Cup begins in Finland on Friday, May 13th.