#hv71

From Jönköping to Ohio: “It's going to be chaos”

They grew up together in HV71.

Next season, Hilda Svensson and Jenna Raunio will join their friend Mira Jungåker at Ohio State University.

“I think we're going to have a lot of fun together,” Jenna Raunio told hockeysverige.se.

There will be a lot of Småland dialect spoken at Ohio State University this coming season. Mira Jungåker has been studying and playing there for some time now. She is, of course, from Jönköping. This fall, Jenna Raunio, also from Jönköping, and Hilda Svensson from Oskarshamn will be moving to the same college. All three previously played together at HV71.

“We were very close and hung out all the time,” says Mira Jungåker when hockeysverige.se meets her, Jenna Raunio, and Hilda Svensson for an interview and asks how close the trio was during their time in Jönköping.

Mira Jungåker continues:

"Even when Mira Markström was there, the four of us hung out together. I've also been to watch Mira play a few games (floorball) when I've been home, but also during my last season at HV71. She's incredibly talented, and it's been fun to see her shine on the court too.”

“The three of us have had a lot of fun together”

As mentioned, the trio spent a lot of time together during their time in Jönköping, and over the years there has been a lot of laughter.

"The three of us have had a lot of fun together and still do when we do something. We're probably pretty good for each other, and we have a lot of fun at the same time.”

“I don't think any of us is more mischievous than the others, but we probably cause mischief together in that case,” says Jenna Raunio with a laugh.

What do you know about Mira Jungåker that the rest of us don't?

Jenna Raunio:

That Mira's favorite food is cabbage pudding.

What do you know about Jenna Raunio that the rest of us don't?

Hilda Svensson:

“She never drives the same car twice.”

Jenna Raunio:

“It depends on what cars my dad has at home (laughs). Sometimes when I go to pick up Hilda, she stands there looking confused, even though I've parked right in front of her.”

Hilda Svensson:

“I can't know which car she'll be driving.”

And what about Hilda Svensson?

Mira Jungåker:

"There are always dishes in the sink.”

Hilda Svensson:

"That sounds worse than it is, but sometimes there might be a plate or two in there.”

Big responsibility at HV71

How do you look back on your time at HV71?

Hilda Svensson (five seasons, 108 games, 24 goals, and a total of 73 points):

"It's been pretty tough for our team and hasn't gone very well, but I think we've learned a lot from it. We're all pretty young and still got to lead a team like that.

Jenna Raunio (five seasons, 129 games, 14 goals, and a total of 49 points):

"I agree with what Hilda says. We've matured and learned a lot. The first year we went to hockey high school, we always did well, but we needed people to remind us sometimes.

The more time has passed, the more responsibility we've had to take. We've grown as people because of that, both on and off the ice.

Mira Jungåker (five seasons, 132 games, 19 goals and a total of 58 points):

"Above all, it has been an educational period. Coming in as young as I was then...

"When I joined, there was Kennedy Marchment, Sidney Morin and all of them, so there were a lot of talented players already there.

“At first, it was really a high level. Players I could look up to and learn from. Then it's like Hilda and Jenna say, that we had to take on more responsibility even though we were still very young. It may have been both an advantage and a disadvantage, but I think we learned a lot and gained several things we can take with us into the future.”

“Peter Elander was very persistent”

Mira Jungåker moved to Ohio before last season.

"First and foremost, it was Peter Elander who was very persistent. I also had other options and spoke with several other schools.

“Ohio still felt like the right choice and an obvious choice. Especially after I went there on a 48-hour trip and looked at the school and everything it has to offer. That school really offered opportunities for everyone to develop. That's why Ohio felt like the perfect choice.”

Did you both follow Mira, or why did you both choose Ohio?

Jenna Raunio:

“I think it was partly thanks to Mira, but Peter was also a big factor in my decision to choose Ohio.

Then there's the fact that Mira has been there for a year, but also that we went over there at the same time and visited. It felt really great. Plus, it's a very good school and hockey team, which made it feel like a pretty obvious choice.”

Hilda Svensson:

"We didn't even consider other schools because everything happened so quickly. It felt like we didn't even think about not choosing Ohio.

I don't really know why it turned out that way, but it was very much Mira, and it felt good when we visited the school and talked to the people there. It's a good team, and that's what you want."

Big difference compared to SDHL

Mira, what can Hilda and Jenna expect when they come to Ohio, and what do you think will be the biggest adjustment?

“It's a huge difference compared to SDHL in terms of players, speed, and everything else. Then there's also what you do off the ice.

Now everyone is the same age, everyone studies, and everyone has the same everyday life. They can expect a little better team spirit than in the SDHL. There, you hang out with players your own age, while at the same time there is a wide range of ages.

The language is the biggest adjustment. You know that when you go over there, that it will be a little tough at first. When you hear English every day, you get better at it quickly and get used to it, so it won't be a problem in the long run.”

How do you feel about going home to play for the national team now that it's Olympic season?

Hilda Svensson:

“I haven't thought about it that much. We know there's a training camp right when we're supposed to move over there. Ideally, you want to stay there, see how things are and get a little settled in.

Then I want to go to all the training camps I can, of course, as long as it doesn't conflict with everything else.”

Jenna Raunio:

“I agree with Hilda, it's not something I've thought about either. At the same time, I think we'll develop incredibly well over there too. If we get to go away on camp, we'll do the same things at school and it will be easier to study together. We can help each other and work together when we're away.”

Has put injury problems behind her

For Mira Jungåker, the situation may be a little different given the injury problems she had last season and how hard she dares to push herself, but...

"I'm 100 percent ready. There's nothing I have a problem with or that's stopping me now.”

“Now that rehab is done and I'm back to square one, it's just a matter of getting on with it. So far, I'm injury-free, and I hope it stays that way for the rest of the season.”

How will it be for the town and the school now that the three of you will be there together?