Max: A boy with Kenyan roots making headlines in Europe

Remember the name, Max Westergard! Without a doubt, Max Westergard is one of the fastest-rising ice hockey players in the world at the moment. He has literally become the talk of the town not only in Europe but also in the United States. At 17 years old, the Finnish winger, born to a Kenyan mother, Veronica Ojwang- Westergard and a Finnish father, Jan-Erik Westergard, has already attracted interest from over ten National Hockey League (NHL) and National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) teams in USA. He could soon become the second player with Kenyan heritage to play in the NHL after the retired Kenyan-Swedish player Johnny Oduya. Currently plying trade at Swedish giants Frolunda after signing a two-year deal a month ago, going by his achievements so far, it's evident Max's rise to stardom has been absolutely supersonic. The decision to leave his native home, Tappara in Tampere, for Luko, Rauma, at the age of 14 for the 2021-22 season that saw him feature for Luko's U16 second team, but mainly in the U16 and U18 Finnish Championship series, appears to have prepared him for the next phase. In the spring of 2023, Westergard clinched a silver medal in the U18 Finnish Championship series in Rauma. He once trained with the Kenya Ice Lions at Panari Hotel ice rink when he visited the country with his mother and younger sister Cindy way back in 2018. But the move to the Gothenburg-based outfit seems to have been a breakthrough in Max's career, as he has not only become a fan and media darling in SHL but also one of the most exciting and promising in the league. He has scored 19+30 in 40 matches in the local U20 league. Having already featured for all Finnish junior national teams, the Form Two student can't wait to make his senior team debut. And as Max patiently waits to be drafted in NHL in June, his long-term targets are clear: to either win the World Cup or Olympic Games with the Finnish national team. He is not ready to be carried away by the hype surrounding his impressive performance. "It's a good feeling to hear everyone talking about me. But I don't feel the pressure because the real work starts now. The best is yet to come from me. I'm looking forward to signing an NHL contract one day, that's exactly what I want," Max told Standard Sports in a phone interview. "I have watched our national senior team play, and I'm dreaming of winning a gold medal with them either at the World Cup and Olympics." Max's rise to stardom has been nothing short of phenomenal as he revels in playing alongside his role models, Finnish star Aleksander Barkov, Nikita Kucherov (Russian) and William Nylander (Swedish). "Of course I enjoy playing with my teammate Mikael Ruohomaa, but Barkov, Kucherov and Nylander are top players that I would wish to play with one day," he revealed. But having noticed Max's talent at a younger age, his father and ice hockey enthusiast Jan-Erik Westergard is not surprised by his breakthrough. He says Max's love for ice hockey was irresistible from the age of six. "We saw his talent when he was still very young, and I'm not surprised with his progress at all. Max wasn't good at ice skating, and he was being mistreated by the older players. I felt bad with how he was being handled, but when he came out of the ice, he said this is what he wanted," said Westergard. "I asked Max again a million times if this is really the thing he wants, but he clearly showed he is passionate about ice hockey, and that's why as parents we decided to fully support him. He switched to ice hockey at the age of six. But taking him to Frolunda was one of the best decisions we have made for him. They love the boy, and they really want him to be fully part of the team." While admitting it has not been a walk in the park for Max as he juggles the sport and academics, Westergard says his son is lucky to have found supportive schools. "To be honest, it has been a challenge. He has not been in school the last two months, but the school has been understanding. In Finland, there is a culture that, school is number one, and if you don't succeed there, then they will deny you a chance to practise. In Sweden it's different, ice hockey is number one, and they will compliment other things. When they see a child is talented in a certain sport, they try to assist as much as possible, and school will come after that. He can study when 40 years old, but he can't start playing hockey at the age of 40," said Westergard. But after influencing her and his sister (Cindy) to love the sport, Max's mother, Veronica Ojwang- Westergard, feels their son is now destined to greatness. "This boy has taught me what ice hockey is. When I came to Finland in 2001, I didn't know anything about it. But he taught me what ice hockey is and even how to put on the ice hockey gear; without him, I don't think I would have fallen in love with ice hockey. It's a very important game in Finland. As a Kenyan, I can say it has positively influenced my life because Finland is now my new home," said Veronica, who grew up in Oyugis, Homabay County. "Ice hockey is not only an expensive sport, but it's also very time-consuming. Max's journey has just started. He is in a place where he needs to show that he is a serious player and is building his career. We are happy he has signed a rookie contract with Frolunda as he continues developing. "When he was in USA, there were a number of NHL teams and NCAA teams that were seriously interested in him, and he's having interviews almost every day here. However, since he has already signed a professional contract, he cannot play in the university league, but we hope he will be drafted in the NHL team in June." Veronica's sentiments were echoed by Kenya Ice Lions first vice president Ali Kilanga, who said Max's achievements will not only indirectly market the Kenyan game but also open doors to more talented players. "It's a dream of each player to play at the top level. We are really happy for Max. When I met him in 2018, I never imagined he was going to pursue professional ice hockey; he was just a young boy. But we are grateful to expats, especially the Finnish nationals, for their support since we started the game. With the progress of people like Max, they will lift the status of our game, and we hope he will one day come back and inspire the local players," said Kilanga. While Max's former sports director at Luko Kalle Sahlstedt, has been keenly following his development in Sweden, Finnish national team head coach, Mikael Kotkaniemi describes him as a very versatile player. "His skating skills are amazing, and he is able to create situations through his movement. His strengths are such that he fits well in the SHL," said Kotkaniemi.

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