From Orono to The Deep: Victor Östman
By Jayd Serdy
Seattle, WA - Goaltender Victor Östman is no stranger to the dedication it takes not just to be a goaltender, but to work your way through the ranks. His North American career started with playing one season in the USHL for the Chicago Wolves before committing to the University of Maine, where the fans are just as dedicated as Seattle fans are.
Seattle Kraken goaltender prospect Victor Östman during the teams training camp in September of 2024 at the Kraken Community Iceplex. (Photos by Rio Giancarlo for Circling Seattle Sports)
On game days, Östman doesn’t rely on quirky superstitions or a lucky charm like some goaltenders do. Instead, he keeps a journal in his locker. Before each start, he writes down how he wants to play, a ritual that steadies his nerves and sets his focus. “It just resets me,” he said. “If I’m nervous or I forget my game plan, I can read it and get right back to where I need to be.” A former UMaine student said that he could often be found sitting behind the net in the stands of Alfond Sports Arena before games started. These rituals have helped pave his way through four years at the University of Maine into his climb through the ECHL, AHL, and a brief stint at the NHL level.
“College hockey is a really good level of hockey, and it’s kind of in between junior and pro,” he said. “It was the perfect fit for me, and I’m really happy I got to spend four years there.” He was recognized as the “Outstanding Graduating International Student” after finding the perfect balance between academics and the grind of Division I hockey. “Hockey is very time consuming and takes up a lot of hours out of the day,” he said. “So you’ve just got to find time for homework and take that part seriously too.”
When it comes to hockey, University of Maine can be described with one word. Dedicated. The fans partake in traditions dating back 20+ years, families flock in from all over the state for games, and the band has been playing the same songs all that time. “The best part about UMaine hockey, and I’m sure he’ll say the same thing, is the fans,” said a former UMaine student. “The ‘Maineiaks’ fan section is constantly on their feet chanting, dancing, bantering with the band, and getting into the opposition’s head. It isn’t just the student section either, the locals pull up strong to every single game and the support for the team is incredible.”
Those lessons in fan passion followed Östman as he moved to Seattle, where sports fans bring a similar intensity to every game. Just as the Maineiaks fill Alfond Sports Arena with chants, cheers, and unrelenting energy, Kraken supporters have quickly made Climate Pledge Arena an impressive home rink. For a player like Östman, the unwavering enthusiasm of Seattle’s fanbase isn’t just inspiring, it’s a reminder of the connection between dedication on the ice and the people cheering in the stands.
While attending UMaine, Östman was often referred to as ‘The King of Orono.’ “It’s customary for the fans to pretend as if Ostman is their god whenever he skates up during pregame introductions,” said an Alfond Sports Arena employee. “The entire arena begins to bow to him and chant his name, it’s really an amazing sight that you just have to experience in person.” No matter who you talk to at UMaine, they likely know who Victor Östman is.
Östman uses the summer as his chance to gain ground in his game. His training consists of hours in the gym and on the ice, but it doesn’t end there. He also focuses on getting enough sleep, his nutrition and anything he can to help sharpen his focus – something every goalie puts an emphasis on. “During the season, you’re all kind of doing the same thing,” he said. “In the offseason, there’s a bunch of stuff you can do, and it’s all on your own. That’s when you can catch up to the guys in front of you.”
Having appeared in the NCAA, ECHL, AHL, and NHL, Östman has seen how much the game changes at each level. “The higher up you go, the smarter the players are, the faster they are, and they don’t need a lot of time and space to make a play,” he said. “You’ve got to be on top of it and try to read the play, and obviously beat it physically, be there on your feet.”
Like many Swedish goaltenders, he grew up idolizing Henrik Lundqvist. These days, he looks to role models a bit closer to home. “Joey [Daccord] here in Seattle is really good, and I love watching him,” he said. “I love watching Mackenzie Blackwood for the Avs. And obviously Bobrovsky — back-to-back Cups — watching him is pretty cool too.”
Seattle Kraken goaltender prospect Victor Östman during the teams rookie camp on September 11th, 2025 at the Kraken Community Iceplex. (Photo by Eric Hiller for Circling Seattle Sports)
From his time playing in Sweden to his offseason grind, Östman’s story is one of steady progress. Each level has brought new challenges, but his approach hasn’t changed: stay grounded, focus on the details, and be ready for what’s next. For a goaltender who has already crossed from Orono to the NHL, the next chapter is still being written — one entry, one save, and one opportunity at a time.
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