PHOTO: Bildbyrån
Frölunda went out of the SM play-offs in the semi-finals.
And then had to say an emotional farewell to club icon Joel Lundqvist.
Now it is clear that a total of eight players are leaving the Gothenburg team.
It has been just over a week since Frölunda had to leave the SM playoffs just before the final game. The basic series winner Växjö Lakers became far too difficult and after six games of the semi-final series, the hockey season ended for Frölunda in a packed Scandinavium.
Leaving Frölunda
The match was also the very last for the team captain and club icon Joel Lundqvist who had to say an emotional farewell to the club and supporters. Now it is clear that he is not alone in leaving Frölunda after the disappointment in the SM play-offs.
The article continues after the picture.
On Wednesday, the Gothenburg team announced in a press release that eight players are leaving the club immediately. Among them are several profile players who will now leave voids behind when the player construction begins for the upcoming SHL season.
READ MORE: Joel Lundqvist’s perfectly clever words about the SM final that make everyone in hockey Sweden laugh
Backbässe is moving
For some time now, it has been clear that Andreas Borgman leaves Gothenburg for Switzerland and the back road is already ready for Fribourg-Gottéron. Even the hill colleagues Philip Johansson and Anders Grönlund may apply further in the career.
– If someone had asked me five years ago, I would never have dared to dream of this. It’s rare to win three titles, you don’t get that many chances, and I’m grateful for this time. It’s easy to become speed blind, but when I look back, this is the biggest thing I’ve done, says 34-year-old Grönlund, who won a SM gold and two CHL titles with Frölunda.
The article continues after the picture.
On the forward side, Joel Lundqvist is of course one of the names that has done his part in the Frölunda jersey, but also four more in it Jacob Nilsson, Jan Mursak, Liam Dower Nilsson and Johan Sundström now leaving the club.
– We want to thank them for their efforts in the club and wish them the best of luck in the future, says Frölunda’s sporting director Fredrik Sjöström in an official statement.
– A lot has already been said, but I have to lift up our captain (Joel Lundqvist). It is not enough to pay tribute to his greatness for many years, a big thank you.
READ MORE: Färjestad breaks the silence about the Swedish star – rumored to want to make a cheeky recruitment coup and snuff out rival Frölunda
The Frölunda player now has time off before the team gathers on May 8 to start pre-season training. But for sports manager Sjöström, it’s all about building a team as powerful as possible to be able to chase the SC gold again next season.
What do you think of Frölunda’s season? Share the article and have your say!