Alexander Command has requested “Sirius” by the Alan Parsons Project be played in Buffalo when he’s picked in the NHL Draft. That’s the song that blared at the United Center when the 1990s era Chicago Bulls got introduced before games.
“One of my biggest idols growing up was Michael Jordan,” the 18-year-old centre explained. “So, I hope his intro music plays.”
Prospects are asked to submit a couple choices for walk-up music to the NHL. Command immediately thought of the soundtrack of Jordan’s success.
“Basically everything,” he said when asked what he likes about the six-time NBA champion. “I’ve watched and pretty much read all the things there is about him and the way he approaches the game. His competitiveness, swagger, it stands out to me and makes me want to be like Mike.”
Like his idol, Command took things personally during an impressive draft season that saw him produce 17 goals and 44 points in 30 games with Orebro in the Swedish junior league.
“There’s been ups and downs,” the 6-foot-1, 183-pound pivot said. “For me, it’s just about getting better. This season has been about trying to push myself and go above and beyond, really. You just get better and then that makes you want to play harder and compete more on the ice, because you have to test what you’ve learned. I think this season has been personal for me.”
Command finished 13th in the final rankings compiled by TSN Director of Scouting Craig Button.
During a conversation from his hotel room in Buffalo, Command reflected on his rise this season, including a strong effort in helping Sweden win gold at the under-18 World Championship. He also shared what he does well to agitate the opposition.
The following is an edited transcript of the interview.
TSN: How do you feel about your season?
Command: I’m happy, definitely. I don’t think I’ve ever played this good consistently. I’m very happy. When I play my worst games it’s not bad hockey. I’m not at my best, but I’m not bad. I have a high low level.
TSN: What was your best game this season?
Command: Probably the U.S. game in November. It was my first national team game at the Five Nations under-18 tournament. The game was back and forth the whole time, lots of chirping, physical, and we ended up winning and I think I performed pretty good.
TSN: Do you like engaging in trash talk on the ice?
Command: I enjoy that. I think it’s pretty funny to get under the skin of the opponents.
TSN: How do you get under the skin of opponents?
Command: I don’t know. It doesn’t have to be personal, but just pretty much do anything. I just like to be an annoying guy. Just poke them with the stick. Talk to them in their ear when the ref’s not watching. Just be the guy you don’t want to face.
TSN: What was your favourite chirp this season?
Command: Oof, I don’t know if I can say on here. I’ll keep it to myself.
TSN: It must be really good.
Command: It was pretty good, yeah.
TSN: How would you describe your game?
Command: Pretty simple two-way game, a supportive 200-foot centre. Can score. Can help my teammates score. Hard, physical and in your face. Defensive-wise, likes to shut down guys. Just be annoying and hard-working.
TSN: TSN hockey analyst Frankie Corrado says you’re like an engine that never stops going. Where does that come from for you?
Command: I think it’s pretty much built-in. I feel like it comes natural. I don’t see a point where I’m not using my physical abilities. So, if I have 100 per cent to give, I’ll give 110 just in case.
TSN: Who is your NHL role model?
Command: My favourite player to watch is Leon Draisaitl but I think my role model is Patrice Bergeron.
TSN: What do you like about watching Draisaitl?
Command: His offensive game is, I can’t even explain it. He sees passes that I can’t see 10 seconds after the puck has been played. I mean, just his vision and how he protects the puck and how he behaves on the ice, just hovering around, and makes plays out of nothing, that stands out to me.
TSN: What is it about Bergeron’s game that you appreciate most?
Command: His two-way game. Just his pure, two-way game and his winner mentality. I wouldn’t say he’s the most skilled guy to have played in the NHL, but he makes it work. Tremendous player within the dots, faceoffs, playmaking, a leader – a guy I want to be like.
TSN: Do you have a role model when it comes to being an agitator?
Command: I haven’t really looked at the show in that way because I feel like that’s more of my own thing that I bring. But I always liked Brad Marchand. The rat.
TSN: You ended the season on a high at the under-18 World Championship with seven points in seven games. What did you like about your performance?
Command: It was a good tournament for me. It started off a little slow (two assists in the first three games), but I had pretty good games and grew as the tournament went on. I feel like I played my best hockey when it mattered the most.
TSN: What did you do to push to the next level there?
Command: I wasn’t happy where I was in the lineup and where I was myself, because I thought I could play better. I just kind of told myself all over again, like, this is who I want to be. This is what I stand for. I just tried to find myself and excel from there.
TSN: You interviewed with 30 teams at the combine, what was the toughest question?
Command: It wasn’t a question. The hardest thing was the Rangers had numbers scrambled in a paper from 1 to 100 and you had to find 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 and so on in chronological order. I found five numbers in 30 seconds, which was not as good as I hoped.
TSN: What did the teams most want to know about you?
Command: It was like you asked me about: Where does my chirpiness and aggressive play come from? Similar to that, like, ‘Where is that coming from as a Swedish player?’
TSN: Has this always been part of your game?
Command: I’d say the last few years, yeah. But when I was younger, I was very small so I couldn’t always back up what I said. I usually got manhandled more back then (smile). But now I started to give it back and can also stand for what I say on the ice.
TSN: Your sister plays soccer at an academy in Sweden, was that something that you played growing up?
Command: Every kid plays soccer where I’m from (Stockholm suburb of Danderyd), so I kind of grew up with it. I played until I was 13, maybe. I wasn’t necessarily good, but I was decent. I played midfielder, defender, so it was fun, but I thought hockey was better.
TSN: What do you like about hockey?
Command: Everything, basically. But I’d say the camaraderie and the team. I mean, the euphoria that you have when you win as a team is tremendous.
TSN: The draft is so close now, how are you feeling?
Command: Very pumped. I can feel the nervousness creeping in a little bit, but more just excited and happy to be here.
TSN: Do you have an idea of when you may be picked?
Command: I have heard some things, but I prefer not to say anything at all. I don’t want to jinx anything, but my agent tells me some stuff. I just listen and smile.
