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How Swede it is
By JOEL POILEY WEST MEADOWS -- When Tampa Bay Lightning winger Fredrik Modin walks into any grocery store in New Tampa, his head swivels quicker than one of his 100-mph-plus slap shots. Back home in Njurunda, Sweden, choices of items are limited to one of everything. The abundance in America astounds Modin. "We're (he and his fiancee of nine years, Linda) from a small town about 20 minutes outside of a city that's about 100,000 people," Modin said. "Here, they have 100 different kinds of cheese, butter, whatever you're looking for there's so much variety. Everything is just so much bigger here." That includes Modin's growing West Meadows neighborhood, which is fast becoming Lightning central. In addition to Modin, teammates Brian Holzinger, Jassen Cullimore and Martin St. Louis live there. Modin rented in Cross Creek when he was traded to Tampa in October 1999 after discovering that several teammates lived in New Tampa. He and Linda bought their West Meadows home in 2000. They like the convenience to restaurants, such as their favorite spot, Macaroni Grill, and the growing list of places to shop. "You have everything up there now," said Modin, who belonged to the Hunter's Green Country Club before injuries limited his golf outings. "It's nice because you don't have to go too far for anything. "We really love the neighborhood, and we have great neighbors. We're not out with them every day. But they understand, especially when you travel and you're away a lot, when you have time off during the season you spend it with your family. But they treat us very good. One neighbor across the street brings over home cooked food every now and then. "We've missed some community events because I was gone or we had a game the next day and couldn't make it. But you feel like there's a family atmosphere in the neighborhood." West Meadows' community center, with its large playground area and two pools, is also becoming a favorite of Modin's 11-month-old son, Jesper. A first-time father, Modin said he is enjoying the wonders of childhood through Jesper's eyes. "Fatherhood is terrific; something new every day," Modin said. "You walk around with a constant smile on your face. It makes the tough losses a little easier to take." Modin said he and Linda are still adjusting to Tampa's year-round heat. For a dose of cooler weather, and to keep the grandparents happy, they return each summer to Sweden. Like his hockey hero, fellow Swede Tomas Sandstrom, Modin began his seven-year career in the hockey cradle of Toronto. He has enjoyed his three-year tenure in Tampa, however, scoring 68 goals and earning all-star recognition during the 2000-2001 season. Modin and his razor-edged teammates realize football is king in Tampa Bay. But he said they appreciate the team's loyal fans. "It felt funny at first playing hockey when it was so hot outside," said Modin, 28. "But Tampa's a great hockey town. It's great coming to the rink because they holler, they're noisy, they really enjoy watching the sport. They understand it, too. We hope to give them a winning team here because they deserve it." Modin has seen New Tampa become more congested. But he still recommends the area to new teammates. "The single guys tend to live downtown," he said. "But everybody with a girlfriend, wife or a family is coming up to New Tampa. We all hang out together, and it helps team camaraderie."
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From the Times |
