At first glance, six points in four games might make you think a forward is having an excellent start to his season. But in fact, these numbers tell a more significant story about a player who, though brand new to the world of the Champions Hockey League, is finding his way just fine in the early going. What’s more, this total is credited not to a sniper, but a defenceman. Matt Caito has been nothing short of spectacular for Leksands IF who’ve had an impressive run to begin the 2021/22 season.
Caito’s prowess on the backend shouldn’t come as much of a surprise considering that for most of his career, the 180 cm, 86 kg blueliner has consistently reached the double-digit plateau. Transitioning to the European ice surface is something that has only lifted his game.
“The big ice has helped me develop more skill and patience with the puck, as well as my skating,” he explained.
"Our defense is successful when we’re pressuring and winning battles"Matt Caito
The point-man has done wonders for Leksand on their CHL debut, with Caito not only leading Leksand defencemen, but all CHL defencemen in points. His defensive contributions have also been on full display with him tied for first in blocked shots with 13.
“Playing for great coaches who have helped me each and every year get better,” is something the American attributes to his elevated play as well as the fact that, “each team I’ve been on, the players on the team have also been very, very talented and they’ve helped me.”
At the end of the day, though, the success of a player is the product of the success of a team and vice versa, and Caito respects the system that enabled Leksand to compete at such a high level.
“I think we just had a purpose of just trying to play our game, fast with speed and some creativity. And I think that’s what’s kind of made our success in the CHL. We had that determination,” he said.
"We’re trying to still figure out the best way to keep playing at a high level. And that’s the key: just focus on us."Matt Caito
Even when they trailed, the Swedish side found a way to shift the momentum in their favor and get results.
“The first two games we were down right at the start. We have a team that doesn’t get too down when that happens and so we found a way to turn it up to another level in those games and came back and that’s kind of what guided us in those four games in the CHL.”
This kind of assurance comes with a chemistry that is all too evident in the Leksand locker room. Players relying on each other and staying accountable; supporting forwards and defencemen in a layered, structured system.
“We like to keep everything on the outside and we’ve had both our goalies play pretty well for us in those games in making the first save from the outside. That kind of helps the defense because you know where everybody is from the goaltender’s standpoint so he knows that he’s got five guys protecting his middle, so he just has to make the first save on the outside,” Caito explained.
So far, this play style has held up for Leksand against their Group F counterparts, but a new script will be written when the club meets the other powerhouse in the group - Fribourg-Gottéron. With both clubs tied at 12 points apiece, Fribourg’s top spot is anything but secure. Nevertheless, overcoming the Swiss side will require a concerted effort by Leksand.
“From what I saw watching them in the CHL, they’re very fast, skilled and that’s something we’re going to have to be very careful with and pay attention to that aspect. They can score goals at will which is really good for them.”
At its core, though, this is what CHL hockey is all about – top teams battling it out; a “be the best, have to beat the best” mentality – and this is what excites Caito about playing in the league.
"Every league is different in their own way and special in their own way. I’m glad that I get to come back to the same league two years in row.”Matt Caito
“The CHL is awesome - you get to see all these different leagues combined and the different styles playing against each other.”
As any player can attest, having the support of the crowd brings a tangible, incomparable energy – one that was sorely missed last season. In 2020/21, Leksand were allowed to host 50 spectators. Now, after seeing that number climb to the thousands, their presence cannot be understated according to Caito.
“Finally being able to hear the whole building rock with all of the fans it definitely felt like a full crowd because we weren’t used to it and it was so exciting and so cool to see that and be able to play in front of that.”
For now, though, the club is focused on their two upcoming SHL games and, in the meantime, "looking to keep our momentum of play going," as they try to, "figure out the best way to keep playing at a high level.”
For Caito, “that’s the key: just focus on us.”
As their focus shifts to their upcoming contests, Leksand will be looking to fine-tune their system and continue the camaraderie that the players have found. This means maintaining their tenacity and constantly improving their game in order to reach the upper echelons of the CHL.
“Going into these next two games, it’s going to be the same way; to see how our system will match up against them and how we can keep getting confidence and keep getting better in it."
But first thing's first: "We still have to finish the Group Stage and it’ll be exciting to keep playing those games.”