Brett Brochu is preparing to play for Kalmar in HockeyAllsvenskan after signing with the club this summer. The 23-year-old goaltender from Ontario trains regularly with NHL players.
Brochu spoke from his home in Belle River, Ontario, while heading to training sessions in London. He said his friend George Diaco recommended Kalmar as one of the best places in the league.
He trains twice a week on the ice with Matt Smith, a coach linked to the Chicago Blackhawks organization. Other participants include NHL goaltenders Jordan Binnington and Jet Greaves.
Brochu has a non-traditional path to pro hockey. After strong seasons with the London Knights, he played in Germany last year with Ingolstadt and now aims to bring consistency to Kalmar.
He plans to move to Sweden with his fiancée Sylvia and their dog Ollie ahead of next summer's wedding.