JVM goalie Robin Lehner about his tough childhood
BUFFALO. Robin Lehners way to the top is like nothing else.
Småkronornas success goalie drill was rock hard by father Michael during childhood.
Father and son Lehner arrived at the restaurant on the play site and sits down at the table. Michael has taken time off from work as a goalkeeper coach in Frölunda for on-site follow his son during the Junior World Championships.
An hour later, it has told the improbable story of how Robin in nine years have gone from beginner to NHL games.
It all started when Michael wanted the then ten year old Robin would try to be objective.
- I do not really think it was so funny, I could hardly stand on skates. But my dad pushed and now you can say that it was worth it, "says Robin.
What happened next?
- It's been full speed, one can say. My birthday is in July and the nine years I have never been home for a birthday. There were four or five different hockey schools every summer.
- Since he started as a goalkeeper so late, I had to press a little extra to catch up the time that was lost, "says Michael.
When Michael began to drill Robin, he had no knowledge about training goalkeepers. By coincidence, met Michael at the beginning of the 2000s, Henrik Lundqvist and was equally haphazard Lundqvist's coach during the four years in the top division.
Now he has been the goalkeeper coach for almost a decade.
Some of Michael's strategy to make Robin a top goalkeeper was to always play him in with older players. During adolescence in Mölndal Robin forced to compete with guys who was one or more years older.
- Dad's plan was that I would have to compete all the time to take a seat. I knew that if I was bad, dad would sell the pads and it was over, "says Robin.
Michael was tough, bordering on brutal in his treatment of his son.
- I mocked Robin if he was not good enough. I made it to trigger him and get those horns to grow out. There has always been a purpose to everything I have done. I have chosen to accept that Robin did not like me very much.
How do you see today on how you dealt with Robin?
- It has probably not been the right way. Now, ten years later, can I sit here with a lump in his stomach. We lost a lot of nice years as father and son. Now begins the friendship come back, "says Michael.
- Actually it was not until I moved to North America that our relationship was good, "said Robin, and Michael nod in agreement.
Most often the tough drill of Robin went too far.
One of the first things Michael did when he had Robin start as a goalkeeper was to get a puck machine that sent away pucks with 160 km speed.
The lawn at the house in Mölndal was torn away and replaced with a concrete slab and nut-father and son for hours.
Michael pushed the button and Robin would catch pucks. But Michael's father and the then 11-year-old goalkeeper was far from always in agreement on how Robin would act to stop all the pucks.
One of many heated discussions ended with Michael deliberately sent away a puck when Robin was not prepared.
The projectile struck with violent force on one arm and Robin started to cry. Despite the continued pucks to whiz on him.
Was reported to Brisbane
Then the neighbors, who were not at all impressed with either the puck machine or how Michael treated his son had enough and contacted Bris (Children's Rights in Society). It ended with a phone call from Bris, where the family Lehner had checked that there was no systematic child abuse.
- It was not an ordinary upbringing, "says Robin.
How do you see today how you were treated?
- I have no regrets. Sure, it has been tough moments, but I am 19 years now and have seen much that others do not come close. I have had to sacrifice a few young age to feel good now, more recently, "says Robin.