Q&A: Jesper Boqvist talks breakout season, house music & more!

FORT LAUDERDALE – Nothing can beat the sound of the goal horn in an NHL arena.

For Jesper Boqvist, that feeling has come quite a bit lately.

One of the Florida Panthers top scorers during the last month, the Swedish forward has notched 10 points (seven goals, three assists), 33 hits and a +5 plus/minus rating over his previous 13 games.

“He’s so fast and we play a similar game,” said teammate Carter Verhaeghe who has been on Boqvist’s line in recent games. “I think he’s so smart defensively, makes good reads, has a really good shot, really skilled, and can win battles in tight areas. I love his game, and I think everyone here is thrilled with his game and love playing with him.”

Ahead of the team’s departure to the West Coast for a four-game road trip, I had the chance to sit down with Boqvist to talk about his breakout season, the power of house music and much more.

DARRAGH: How are you feeling going into a long West Coast road trip with a couple back-to-backs?

BOQVIST: I think we’re feeling good. I think we’ve handled those (back-to-backs) pretty good so far, so it’s going to be a lot of fun.

DARRAGH: You’ve got a career high in goals already, what’s been working this season?

BOQVIST: I feel like being on such a good team and playing with so many good players. Just trying to work hard, do whatever I’m being told, keep my head down, and work it.

DARRAGH: With the goal scoring has come a lot of good cellys. Do you have a go-to celly?

BOQVIST: I don’t know what happens really after, I kind of black out (laughing). It’s such an incredible feeling of scoring in this league, I don’t really know what happens sometimes.

DARRAGH: How has it been playing with Anton Lundell and Carter Verhaeghe? What’s impressed you the most with their games?

BOQVIST: They’re really good players. They work so hard too off the puck. So skilled and it’s so much fun for me playing with those guys. I do whatever I can to help them.

DARRAGH: How special has it been sharing this experience with your brother Adam and assisting on each other’s goals?

BOQVIST: It’s been unreal. Crazy thinking about growing up dreaming about this and now here we are. You kind of have to pinch yourself a bit.

DARRAGH: You’ve gotten looks in different situations and lines this year. How much confidence does that give you that the Panthers trust you anywhere?

BOQVIST: For sure, a lot. I just try to work as hard as I can every day so they can trust me out there and something I want to keep doing. I’m super thankful.

DARRAGH: Halfway through the season, what stands out the most about this team and locker room?

BOQVIST: I feel like everyone is so close, like the trainers, players, management and everyone wants everyone’s best. It’s been a lot of fun to be a part of it.

DARRAGH: This is a team with a lot of nicknames. Do you have a favorite nickname?

BOQVIST: A Bo and J Bo. I like those two.

DARRAGH: How has it been adjusting to Florida living and what stands out the most about life in South Florida?

BOQVIST: I feel like everything is so low key. Everyone’s just loving it down here. I can see why with the weather and everything like that. It’s been a blast.

DARRAGH: Anything different than expected?

BOQVIST: I thought there would be less traffic (laughing). It’s not crazy, but I thought it would be less.

DARRAGH: What are your favorite things to do outside of hockey?

BOQVIST: I got two dogs at home. Hanging out with the fiancé, little bro, friends. Picked up golf a couple of years ago and watching sports.

DARRAGH: What’s your favorite Swedish meal?

BOQVIST: Good question. Obviously, I want to have meatballs, right? So, I think that.

DARRAGH: If you weren’t playing hockey, what job would you like to do?

BOQVIST: A painter with my dad.

DARRAGH: Do you have a favorite or dream vacation?

BOQVIST: My favorite so far was the Maldives, and those places were nice.

DARRAGH: Favorite genre of music?

BOQVIST: Growing up, a lot of House and EDM. Now it’s been probably like Afro house.

DARRAGH: If you got to create your own festival, what would it be and who would headline?

BOQVIST: It would probably be house and Swedish House Mafia would be the headliner.

DARRAGH: Is there a story behind why you wear No. 70?

BOQVIST: I had nine in Sweden. An older guy came to our team and took nine, so I took 90. I had 90 in Jersey, then (Tomas) Tatar came. There wasn’t a lot to choose from, so me and my mom actually picked 70.