TOPEKA, Kan. – Danish goaltender Mads-Emil Gransoe, one of three goalies used by the Topeka RoadRunners this season, has been selected to represent his country in the World Junior A Championships this month in Montreal. Other countries participating include Sweden, Russia, Finland, USA, Canada, Czech Republic, Slovakia, Switzerland and Latvia.
Gransoe, a 1998-born goaltender who has appeared in only one game but has been training with the RoadRunners for several months, is no stranger to international play. He competed for Team Denmark two years ago as a member of the U17 team, and last season in Grand Forks, N.D., with Denmark’s U18 team.
“Emil has trained very hard since he’s been here, and we are proud to see him compete at such a high level,” said Topeka GM Joe Clark. “He has fit into our dressing room very well, and has a high compete level on the ice. His goal is to play college hockey here in the USA, and that’s what he’s working towards.”
Gransoe’s only game with the RoadRunners this season came last month when he faced 51 shots on the road against Wichita Falls. The RoadRunners fell in overtime, 6-5.
“I am very fortunate to have been able to train with this organization in Topeka,” said Gransoe. “They have a strong history of developing goaltenders, and I can see why. Things are very structured here, and there’s an opportunity to be successful.”
Gransoe is from Gentofte, Denmark – a community just outside Copenhagen. He attended the Omaha Lancers’ summer training camp, which is where Clark watch him play this past summer.