Not just for Jacob, who remains on the brink of equalling the Calgary Flames’ single-season shutout record.
For his late father Anders, who was a goalkeeper in Sweden’s top professional soccer league.
And for his older brother Tim, who is still earning his paycheques as a last line of defence on the pitch.
Jacob may have had a future in causing frustration for football strikers, at holding his opponents to ‘nil,’ but he opted in his teens to focus on his puck pursuits.
Not that a career as a grass-stained goalie didn’t pack some appeal.
“I mean, it’s three or four shots a game and you’re in shorts and a T-shirt, so a little less gear,” he said with a wide grin. “And the ball is bigger than this puck, and it’s a little warmer.”
