International Student Spotlight: Anton Näström

By: Michael Locatelli, For the Clock

mlocatelli@plymouth.edu

For a small university nestled into the New Hampshire wilderness, Plymouth State is home to an incredibly diverse community of students and faculty. During my time at PSU, I’ve met people from all over the world, including nations such as Iceland, Greece, France, Spain, and Norway to name a few. Our Men’s Ice hockey team has traditionally recruited players from across the world, particularly players from Sweden. On the current roster there are seven Swedish players, including sophomore goal scorer, Anton Nästrom. Anton grew up in Örnskoldsvik, a small town most known for its notably remarkable architecture, mountain hikes, and its prowess for developing NHL players.  

Following the lead of generational talents, such as Peter Forsberg and Markus Naslund, Anton first started playing hockey at the age of four. After years of hard work and travel across Europe playing the game he loved, he was eager to search for an opportunity to continue his education and on-ice development in the United States. Following a quick recruiting process during the summer of 2020, Anton found himself in America for the very first time when he stepped onto campus during the fall of that same year.  

Moving to a foreign country with a different primary language is difficult enough, never mind attempting to be a student-athlete in one. I asked Anton what he struggled with most when he first got to New Hampshire and he said, “The language for sure. I had never been to America and when I got here, it was all English all the time. Homework assignments were very difficult in the beginning as the language barrier sometimes prohibited me from understanding the questions being asked.”  

Anton quickly adjusted, and on the ice scored four goals in six contents as a freshman during a season shortened by the COVID-19 pandemic. 

Entering his sophomore campaign, Anton is looking to help the Men’s Ice Hockey Team win its 3rd league championship in as many years. When I asked Anton what his favorite parts of Plymouth life were, he responded, “The hockey games, and the views. But mostly the views.” If you haven’t had the opportunity yet, listen to Anton and go check out those views. You can catch Anton and the rest of the boys this winter as they look to win the MASCAC once again!