Sebastian Dahm is one of the most experienced goalkeepers at the 2022 IIHF Ice Hockey World CHampionship.
photo: Andrea Cardin / HHOF-IIHF Images
Since 2015 the Danes have won 18 games in World Championship play. Sebastian Dahm has been in goal for 14 of those. In Denmark’s entire hockey history at top-level events (OG, WM, WM20, WM18, WW, WW18), the team has recorded seven shutouts. Dahm has three of those. To say he has been the backbone of the Danish crease is an understatement. As he goes, so goes Denmark.
The country has been in the top division every year since 2003, but there were several close calls and relegation games along the way. But Dahm, who helped the team rise to the top division in U18 and U20 play early in his career, sees a massive change in attitude in recent times.
“I think it’s been a few years since we’ve been looking more forwards than backwards,” he explained of the nation’s greater confidence and success. “You never know how the tournament goes, and you may have to look backwards, but going into tournaments now we’re looking to make the quarter-finals. That’s our goal, and it’s been like that for a while now. But, of course, the Olympics was such a confidence booster, showing ourselves that on the biggest stage we can beat teams like Czechia and Switzerland and not being outshot 40-10 or something. Those were tight games in Beijing.”
Indeed, Denmark beat Czechia, 2-1, to open the men’s side of the draw in their first ever appearance at the Olympics, and they beat the Swiss, 5-3. In between was a narrow 2-0 loss to ROC. They went on to beat Latvia, 3-2. In the quarters they faced ROC again, losing 3-1 and finishing a very respectable 7th.
“I feel like every year the overall depth of the team gets better and better,” Dahm continued. “When I first joined the team, the third and fourth lines were still maybe a bit far away from the top teams, and we had a tough time. But now I think even our fourth line can play against the top teams. That’s the main difference. And then on the other side, we’ve had a lot of guys who have played together a while. Players know each other well, so our structure has developed over a period of time, and that also helps in these tournaments. We don’t have to spend time getting to know each other.”
The country has been in the top division every year since 2003, but there were several close calls and relegation games along the way. But Dahm, who helped the team rise to the top division in U18 and U20 play early in his career, sees a massive change in attitude in recent times.
“I think it’s been a few years since we’ve been looking more forwards than backwards,” he explained of the nation’s greater confidence and success. “You never know how the tournament goes, and you may have to look backwards, but going into tournaments now we’re looking to make the quarter-finals. That’s our goal, and it’s been like that for a while now. But, of course, the Olympics was such a confidence booster, showing ourselves that on the biggest stage we can beat teams like Czechia and Switzerland and not being outshot 40-10 or something. Those were tight games in Beijing.”
Indeed, Denmark beat Czechia, 2-1, to open the men’s side of the draw in their first ever appearance at the Olympics, and they beat the Swiss, 5-3. In between was a narrow 2-0 loss to ROC. They went on to beat Latvia, 3-2. In the quarters they faced ROC again, losing 3-1 and finishing a very respectable 7th.
“I feel like every year the overall depth of the team gets better and better,” Dahm continued. “When I first joined the team, the third and fourth lines were still maybe a bit far away from the top teams, and we had a tough time. But now I think even our fourth line can play against the top teams. That’s the main difference. And then on the other side, we’ve had a lot of guys who have played together a while. Players know each other well, so our structure has developed over a period of time, and that also helps in these tournaments. We don’t have to spend time getting to know each other.”
In earlier years, we’d be searching for the keys for how to be successful. Now, we know.
The situation at home is also improving in Dahm’s estimation. There are more players, more fans, more support, but of course success breeds some problems that still need addressing on an ongoing basis.
“The biggest issue at home for us is to get more rinks,” he explained. “Right now, we’re getting to the point where all the rinks are fully booked with young kids, boys and girls, so the challenge going forward is to convince local mayors of Danish cities to build more rinks so the sport can continue to grow in numbers. But sponsors-wise, media-wise, fans-wise, the game has been growing steadily for the last few decades. That’s really important. And now you see guys coming from the Danish league who can really play with the best players. Twenty years ago, ten years ago, the guys from the Danish league had a tough time keeping up. And that’s been huge for us. The Danish league has really developed.”
“The biggest issue at home for us is to get more rinks,” he explained. “Right now, we’re getting to the point where all the rinks are fully booked with young kids, boys and girls, so the challenge going forward is to convince local mayors of Danish cities to build more rinks so the sport can continue to grow in numbers. But sponsors-wise, media-wise, fans-wise, the game has been growing steadily for the last few decades. That’s really important. And now you see guys coming from the Danish league who can really play with the best players. Twenty years ago, ten years ago, the guys from the Danish league had a tough time keeping up. And that’s been huge for us. The Danish league has really developed.”
Danish goalkeeper Sebastian Dahm sings the national anthem after helping his team beat Germany at the 2018 IIHF Ice Hockey World Championship on home ice in Herning.
photo: Matt Zambonin / HHOF-IIHF Images
Dahm has been playing for his country for nearly two decades. He has seen the program grow and succeed, and he has been an integral part of that, but he is now 35 and closer to the end of his career than the beginning. But he feels like the future is even brighter than the present.
“Ya, I had to laugh the other day,” he continued. “I saw an IIHF feed asking which veteran do you want to see succeed, and I was there! So I guess I’m a veteran now! It’s been a pleasure to be on this journey with Danish ice hockey. It’s been unbelievable. Every game I’m humbled and honoured to be part of this, and I never take anything for granted. There are so many good players on this team, so many good players sitting at home. It’s great to see some of the young goalies coming up now as well. Freddy Dichow was drafted by the Montreal Canadiens. He has so much talent. And Mads Sogaard in Belleville and Ottawa. It’s been a pleasure to watch them grow. I was even coaching them a little bit when they were young kids and I was playing in Denmark.”
Coaching? Did you say coaching? Does that auger well for your future and helping young goalies down the road?
Dahm smiled. “Once it’s all said and done, I really enjoy teaching young goalies, so I can’t rule out that being a part of my life in hockey after I retire. But,” he said with emphasis, “that’s still a few years down the road.”
“Ya, I had to laugh the other day,” he continued. “I saw an IIHF feed asking which veteran do you want to see succeed, and I was there! So I guess I’m a veteran now! It’s been a pleasure to be on this journey with Danish ice hockey. It’s been unbelievable. Every game I’m humbled and honoured to be part of this, and I never take anything for granted. There are so many good players on this team, so many good players sitting at home. It’s great to see some of the young goalies coming up now as well. Freddy Dichow was drafted by the Montreal Canadiens. He has so much talent. And Mads Sogaard in Belleville and Ottawa. It’s been a pleasure to watch them grow. I was even coaching them a little bit when they were young kids and I was playing in Denmark.”
Coaching? Did you say coaching? Does that auger well for your future and helping young goalies down the road?
Dahm smiled. “Once it’s all said and done, I really enjoy teaching young goalies, so I can’t rule out that being a part of my life in hockey after I retire. But,” he said with emphasis, “that’s still a few years down the road.”