It didn’t take long for Nils Carnbäck to make an impression in the AIHL. With 18 points in his first nine games for the Canberra Brave, the Swedish forward has introduced himself in emphatic fashion, despite a rough welcome that included getting his eyebrow split open in his debut.

A Hockey Heritage

Carnbäck’s hockey story began in Gothenburg, Sweden, a city rich in hockey culture and home to powerhouse club Frölunda HC. It’s also where his father played professionally before and after a stint in the NHL, giving Nils both the genes and the environment to fall in love with the game from the very start. “I was kind of just born with skates on. I’ve loved it for as long as I can remember.”

That early passion translated into a successful career. After rising through Växjö Lakers’s elite junior system, competing in J18 Elit and J20 SuperElit, Carnbäck stepped into the senior ranks with the SHL. In 2019-2020, he made the leap to HockeyAllsvenskan with Karlskrona HK, Sweden’s second-tier professional league, before heading to France for a new challenge.

The decision to join the AIHL came after a message from Brave General Manager Jordie Gavin. “Jordie reached out and explained what the opportunity was. I’d never really thought about coming to Australia before that, but I’d talked with guys during the season who had done it. It sounded like a great experience, and I thought, why not?”

Fitting In Fast

Carnbäck’s impact was immediate. With five multi-point performances in his first few weeks, he’s slotted in seamlessly with the Brave’s offensive unit. But he credits his early success not to stats, but to his new teammates. “All the guys have been so good to me. They were so welcoming and I just felt like I could play my game right away.”

When asked how he would describe himself on the ice, Carnbäck hesitated. “That question is always so hard, I just want to bring my A-game every day, play hard, and give 100% for the team.”

Though the AIHL structure differs from the full-time professional setup he was used to in Sweden, Carnbäck sees shared values across the board. “Back home as a pro we practice every day, on-ice, off-ice, but the mindset here is the same. Once you step into the locker room, guys are there to compete and win.”

Chasing the Cup

Joining a defending champion mid-run isn’t always an easy task, but Carnbäck has embraced the challenge. He’s well aware of the stakes and what’s expected. “Of course it motivates you,” he said when asked about chasing a second straight Goodall Cup with the Brave. “That’s what the game is about, you want to win. There shouldn’t be anything else in your mind.”

And it’s not just about raw talent. For Carnbäck, it’s the team’s chemistry that makes them dangerous. “It feels like we’re all connected. All four lines are rolling. We’re taking our chances when they come. I think we’ve just got the group to do it.”

Feeling the Brave Energy

While he’s played in front of crowds across Europe, Carnbäck has been particularly struck by the atmosphere in Canberra. “It’s a big crowd here, it’s amazing.”

The elevated setting and engaged fan base have added another layer of motivation. “You want to play harder for them,” he said. “That energy pushes you.”

As for what fans should know about him? He laughed at the question before brushing it off with modesty. “I don’t want to give away any secrets… I don’t really have any!”

Locked In for Finals

With the Brave in the thick of a hotly contested AIHL season and just 5 games left in the regular season, Carnbäck knows what’s required. “Just keep doing what we’ve been doing the last few games. It’s all about the little details, taking our chances, and sticking together.”

And when asked if he believes the Brave can repeat as champions, his answer was simple and sure: “Are we going to take it? Yeah, yeah, yeah.”

There’s no doubt where Nils Carnbäck stands: fully committed, fully focused, and fully Brave.