Islanders prospect Soderstrom: Asperger's and ADHD helped shape life

December 22, 2015

foxsports

New York Islanders prospect Linus Soderstrom isn't letting Asperger Syndrome or attention deficit and hyperactivity disorder deter him from living his life - or from playing hockey.

Diagnosed with both at 7 years of age, Soderstrom found comfort in playing the sport as a means to form relationships as well as having a primary focus. The now-19-year-old Swede credits the direction he received from his teachers at a specialized school for helping him overcome Asberger Syndrome, which is a disorder that can cause significant difficulties in social interaction and motor movements.

Via Swedish news outlet TV4, per Lighthouse Hockey:

"Ice hockey has always been there, whenever I have had problems with friends, family, school - I have been able to rely on ice hockey. It has meant all to me, hockey is my life. The help I got from the teachers at the specialist school is something I could never say thank you for enough. They shaped me to a better person, and helped me focus my drive for school and ice hockey."

A fourth-round pick of the 2014 draft, Soderstrom has posted a 4-8-2 mark with a 1.90 goals-against average and .927 save percentage with Vita Hasten in Allsvenskan, the second highest professional league in Sweden.

The 6-foot-5, 196-pound Soderstrom entertains aspirations of playing in the NHL, and told TV4 that Asberger Syndrome and ADHD won't stand in his way.

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