Even though he never made the NHL grade, Detroit Red Wings draft pick Axel Holmstrom harbors no bitterness toward the Red Wings or the game. Exactly the opposite. He cherishes all the doors that hockey has opened up for him.

Over the years, along with his time in his native Sweden and in the AHL with Grand Rapids Griffins, Holmstrom has also played in Switzerland and Finland. This season, he’ll be skating for Litvinov in the Czech Extraliga.

ICYMI: Axel Holmstrom skated in his 100th @TheAHL game last night! 👏🏼👏🏼 pic.twitter.com/Lh3OFLADId

— Grand Rapids Griffins (@griffinshockey) December 16, 2018

“I’m looking forward to it,” Holmstrom explained to website hokej.cz. With each new landing spot, Holmstrom views it as an opportunity to grow as a player and as a person.

“It’s fun,” he said. “You get to know different cultures, different hockey styles. You gain experience and learn how to adapt in different systems.”

Red Wings Drafted Holmstrom In 2014

No relation to Red Wings icon Tomas Holmstrom, Detroit selected Swedish forward Axel Holmstrom 196th overall in the 2014 NHL entry draft. He played with Skelleftea, the same club that produced current Red Wings prospects Axel Sandin Pellikka and Michael Brandsegg-Nygard.

Holmstrom spent three seasons in the AHL with the Griffins. Among his teammates in GR were Filip Hronek, Filip Zadina, Martin Frk, and Tomas Nosek. He won a Calder Cup with the team in 2016-17 and treasures the time he spent in Grand Rapids.

“@KyleWIIM: Axel Holmstrom is hilarious on Instagram. pic.twitter.com/94NmpIxUV2” I already like this kid.

— 🦇DarkKnt1047🦇 (@darkknt1047) July 7, 2014

“Unfortunately. Before leaving Sweden, I had minor knee problems when I was 18,” Holmstrom said. “I stepped out there with the wrong foot, and I ended up sick again. But overall, it was a good experience.

“Quite a few guys don’t speak well of the AHL, but I can’t say anything bad. I really enjoyed my time in Grand Rapids. It was an amazing place. As I said before, it’s all about getting to know a new culture and style of play.”

Though the NHL never summoned him, Holmstrom holds no grudges.

“You can’t dwell on it,” he said. “It’s in the past. Of course, I would like to fulfill this dream, but it just didn’t work out.

“To be honest, I wasn’t even that close, which makes it easier. Life and career go on.”