Sweden celebrated 100 years of hockey with big televised event

[Pominville Knows]

It's unlikely that Loob will ever be inducted into the HHOF....but he was good enough to be, and I think there's a small chance he could be at some point.

His case is quite unusual...only 6 seasons in the NHL. But 4 scoring titles in Sweden (I think that's accurate), quite a legendary figure in Swedish hockey, a big scorer in his only best-on-best tournament (10 points in 8 games in '84), and multiple championship teams (Stanley Cup, Olympics, WCs).

Are there any Swedes on the selection committee that could push his case?
That he just recently got into this all-time all-star team could carry some weight in his favor, alongside Lundqvist, Salming, Lidström, Forsberg and Sundin. Remember that Sundin's accomplishments internationally at this point is well known to the committee; that he has a pretty strong case to have the best such amongst his whole generation, and not just amongst Swedish such.

Come to think of it; Maybe Tumba would not have been a wrong choice, he was as good as most soviets at the time, even though that time was just before the soviets could compete with the Canadian professionals. But in terms of the necessary evolution of the game in the country, it was he that stood out.

But Zetterberg was better in his era than Tumba was in his, if you include Canadian professionals. I think could have been a Michael Nylander quality player during the Original-6, and could possibly force his way into the league, but perhaps more probably becoming a star in the then much stronger AHL.

 

[JackSlater]

Are there any Swedes on the selection committee that could push his case?
That he just recently got into this all-time all-star team could carry some weight in his favor, alongside Lundqvist, Salming, Lidström, Forsberg and Sundin. Remember that Sundins accomplishments internationally at this point is well known to the committee, that he has a pretty strong case to have the best such amongst his whole generation, and not just amongst Swedish such.

Come to think of it; Maybe Tumba would not have been a wrong choice, he was as good as most soviets at the time, even though that time was just before the soviets could compete with the Canadian professionals. But in terms of the necessary evolution of the game in the country, it was he that stood out.

But Zetterberg was better in his era than Tumba was in his, if you include Canadian professionals. I think could have been a Michael Nylander quality player during the Original-6, and could possibly force his way into the league, but perhaps more probably becoming a star in the then much stronger AHL.

Anders Hedberg is on the selection committee. Tumba should be in based on it being the "Hockey Hall of Fame" rather than the "hall of top ___ players versus the best players of their time." It is a museum and he is historically very relevant for a prominent hockey nation. Loob would be fine to enter but his omission is not particularly glaring either.

 

[Jahara]

Kenny Jönsson was certainly better than Kronwall. He was also fairly similar to Öhlund. Both Jönsson and Öhlund had #1D upside, Kronwall didn't really have that upside although late Red Wing career (post Lidström) he was still deployed as one because they didn't have anyone better. Kronwall was a classic #2D/#3D. Kim Johnsson, I was surprised to see how old he was/is and how much he actually played in the NHL, very solid but unspectacular career, yeah he was pretty good.

Ulf Samuelsson/Norström were strictly defensive Ds so hard to compare. Olausson was basically a PP specialist, not a guy you would want leading your overall forces. Ragnarsson was pretty solid but clearly not as good overall as Jönsson.

Kjell Samuelsson I'm higher on his son (who is American, by the way), I hope he comes back from his injury soon and stabilizes Sabres defense so they don't have to play AHL trash.

Jönsson and Kronwall is quite even but the latter was better offensively. Kim Johnsson was held higher than Jönsson during some years and don't forget that Kenny was not picked for the 1998 Olympics and the World Cup 2004.

 

[sr edler]

Jönsson and Kronwall is quite even but the latter was better offensively. Kim Johnsson was held higher than Jönsson during some years and don't forget that Kenny was not picked for the 1998 Olympics and the World Cup 2004.

Kronwall was an alright player but I wouldn't compare his and Jönsson's offensive numbers straight up as one of them played pre-lockout and the other post-lockout. Kronwall's numbers are probably also a bit inflated by sharing PP time with Z, Dats and Lids.

Kronwall was a minus player thrice while his team made the playoffs. He ended up a career –5 despite playing the predominant bulk of his career on a very good Red Wing team. In both of his SCFs appearances he was 3rd among Red Wing Ds in TOI. I think he's probably overall more comparable to Edler or Ekholm.

I never got a reliable feeling with Kronwall. At least twice when he threw these showboating KRONWALLED! hits it hurt his teams. First in the 2010 Olympics when Slovakia scored on an odd man rush, because he did it in the o-zone (Sweden lost that game). Then when he KRONWALLED! Kucherov in the 2015 playoffs and got suspended from the final game of the series, which they (obviously) lost because they had to overplay DeKeyser and Brendan Smith.

 

[Jahara]

I noticed now that Gunilla Andersson Stampes was named best defender of all time but NOT named in best team of all time. Strange.

 

[Pominville Knows]

I noticed now that Gunilla Andersson Stampes was named best defender of all time but NOT named in best team of all time. Strange.

The voters were different; many was voted on by the general public and the two D's chosen is from later generations which obviously risks older ones that not everyone saw with their own eyes being forgotten.
Just looked it up; the all-star teams was by the public and best defenseman by a jury.

 

[tarheelhockey]

Just a side note, but 50 years ago they held their 50th anniversary celebration with a series between the Swedish national team and Team Canada.

That anniversary series was the break between games of the 1972 Summit Series. Team Canada used it as an opportunity to get used to the time zone change after their prior game in Vancouver.

 

[johan f]

I have watched hockey since 1970 and have a good picture of most players and their on ice capacity. Comparing points not fair. In 70s and 80s NHL and WHA were not fitting or at least very much harder for skilled players with no edge in their game. Coaches were not always utilizing europeans in best way either. With that said I think players’ careers in every environment shouls be considered and not too much on what was performed in NA. Loob was impact player where ever he played.

Then there are players who are overlooked because they have not much to show from national team career. Some players had just bad luck when it comes to timing for eventual success. Anders Hedberg might be a case to rank above Loob, despite no gold medals or championships (aside Avco-Cups).

Some players in 70s and 80s had more talent and played better than many of the swedes in NHL today. Elias Pettersson would not stand a chance in 70s. Just an example. Inge Hammarstrom would be among top players in todays NHL and with that being ranked higher on a top 100 list of greats.

 

[Yozhik v tumane]

Just a side note, but 50 years ago they held their 50th anniversary celebration with a series between the Swedish national team and Team Canada.

That anniversary series was the break between games of the 1972 Summit Series. Team Canada used it as an opportunity to get used to the time zone change after their prior game in Vancouver.

It’d be interesting seeing the all-star team from that anniversary, but I suspect there was none.

Kurt “The Sow” Sucksdorf vs. Lennart “The Dough Boy” Häggroth for goaltender of the half-century?

 

[tarheelhockey]

It’d be interesting seeing the all-star team from that anniversary, but I suspect there was none.

Kurt “The Sow” Sucksdorf vs. Lennart “The Dough Boy” Häggroth for goaltender of the half-century?

One little detail I uncovered while thinking about those exhibitions in 1972:

About that same time, Thommie Bergman was impressing the coaches in Detroit. As one would expect back then, the question quickly came up as to whether he would fight. He didn’t exactly want to fight but he showed a willingness, and apparently won what was described as a “clean-cut decision” over Dave Schultz of all people. Almost as if to underscore the point, he also fought Steve Durbano and Bobby Clarke later that rookie season.

 

[Staniowski]

I have watched hockey since 1970 and have a good picture of most players and their on ice capacity. Comparing points not fair. In 70s and 80s NHL and WHA were not fitting or at least very much harder for skilled players with no edge in their game. Coaches were not always utilizing europeans in best way either. With that said I think players’ careers in every environment shouls be considered and not too much on what was performed in NA. Loob was impact player where ever he played.

Then there are players who are overlooked because they have not much to show from national team career. Some players had just bad luck when it comes to timing for eventual success. Anders Hedberg might be a case to rank above Loob, despite no gold medals or championships (aside Avco-Cups).

Some players in 70s and 80s had more talent and played better than many of the swedes in NHL today. Elias Pettersson would not stand a chance in 70s. Just an example. Inge Hammarstrom would be among top players in todays NHL and with that being ranked higher on a top 100 list of greats.

Yes, I agree, the '70s and '80s even with all the offence was very different than today....some of those Swedes - Loob, Patrik Sundstrom, Sandstorm, etc. - would be bigger stars in today's NHL.

 

[Jahara]

The voters were different; many was voted on by the general public and the two D's chosen is from later generations which obviously risks older ones that not everyone saw with their own eyes being forgotten.
Just looked it up; the all-star teams was by the public and best defenseman by a jury.

Still kinda strange since Kim Martin Hasson and Andersson Stampes was active during many years together. And Asserholt did mostly play as a forward right?

But if you do not have proper knowledge about a subject...why even bother taking a vote then? It is not THAT hard to do a little research.

It’d be interesting seeing the all-star team from that anniversary, but I suspect there was none.

Kurt “The Sow” Sucksdorf vs. Lennart “The Dough Boy” Häggroth for goaltender of the half-century?

In 1972 the Best ever line of Sweden would probably have been like this.
Leif "Honken" Holmqvist
Rolle Stoltz - Lennart "Lill-Strimma" Svedberg
Sven Tumba - Ulf Sterner - Nisse Nilsson/Ronald "Sura-Pelle" Pettersson

 

[plusandminus]

I noticed now that Gunilla Andersson Stampes was named best defender of all time but NOT named in best team of all time. Strange.

As for the forwards, I think Rooth and Holst deserved, sort of like Sundin and Forsberg among men.
But I would have liked Evelina Samuelsson there. She was very good for a few years, but unfortunately had to retire early because of injuries. I think Jonas Andersson chose her in his All Star Team. But maybe her career was too short, and to long ago to be remembered by most people.
Edit: Yeah, 17 years young when she scored both goals in a 2-1 game when Sweden won bronze in 2002 Olympics. Seems she might have retired at age 20. If so, I can understand if her career was considered too short. Her career doesn't look very impressive "on paper", but she really stood out when she was at her best.

 

[Jahara]

As for the forwards, I think Rooth and Holst deserved, sort of like Sundin and Forsberg among men.
But I would have liked Evelina Samuelsson there. She was very good for a few years, but unfortunately had to retire early because of injuries. I think Jonas Andersson chose her in his All Star Team. But maybe her career was too short, and to long ago to be remembered by most people.
Edit: Yeah, 17 years young when she scored both goals in a 2-1 game when Sweden won bronze in 2002 Olympics. Seems she might have retired at age 20. If so, I can understand if her career was considered too short. Her career doesn't look very impressive "on paper", but she really stood out when she was at her best.

Those two were locks in the team. Did not have much memory of Samuelsson but her career was a bit short and I would have picked Pernilla Winberg thanks to a long and productive career. Otherwise a name like Ann-Louise Edstrand could have been a name for the last D-spot. Or a older name like Kristina Bergstrand among the forwards.

Strange otherwise that Kim Martin Hasson was named all time player when she ain't was first choice for some tournaments. It seemed obvious that Maria Rooth would be the winner.

 

[PrimumHockeyist]

Thanks for the heads up on this.

MUCH respect for Sweden, for all they have accomplished since they first showed up on my radar in September of 1972.

Grattis på årsdagen, som man säger i Stockholm, och platser i närheten!

 

[PrimumHockeyist]

Here are some notes from tonight's televised event "100 years of Swedish hockey".

Probably the most emotional sports event I've ever watched.
"Every" great Swedish player alive was there (except current NHLers of course).
Börje Salming was enormously celebrated. Basically every player there (hundreds of them) had tears in their eyes when he got focus. All the great ones interviewed (Lidström, Peter Forsberg, Mats Sundin, Kent Nilsson and so on) praised him for his way of being and for him paving the way for "all" Swedish (and European) players regarding the NHL.

At a glance, I would say that my favourite all-time Swede is Zetterberg.

 

[Hobnobs]

Jönsson and Kronwall is quite even but the latter was better offensively. Kim Johnsson was held higher than Jönsson during some years and don't forget that Kenny was not picked for the 1998 Olympics and the World Cup 2004.

Yea I wouldnt care too much that Hardy Nilsson didn't pick Kenny Jönsson for the 2004 squad. Personal biases was his game.