Photo: Bildbyrån
When Adam Ollas Mattsson was 16, his mother Elisabeth died of cancer.
Now the Färjestad back tells about how she continued to show her support even after her death.
– I have tried to follow her motto as best as possible, he says in the podcast NWT Istid.
After two seasons in Djurgården, a less successful attempt in the USA and five years in Malmö have Adam Ollas Mattsson28, now moved to Färjestad. There are certainly many who wondered about his choice of jersey number, 73. It is a tribute to his mother – here comes the explanation.
Gone way too soon
Adam Ollas Mattsson’s mother Elisabeth was born in 1973. She was only 39 years old when she died of cancer. At the time, Adam himself was 16 years old and played in Värmdö HC’s junior team. Despite being very ill, she did everything so that her three sons could continue playing hockey and live as normal a life as possible.
– Even though she was sick and hospitalized, she managed to get to matches; she fought to be in place. I now realize the effort she put into showing her presence. Maybe I didn’t understand it then and there when I was 15-16 years old, but today it’s something I look back on with a smile, says the Färjestad defender in the podcast NWT Istid.
He says in the podcast that mother Elisabeth pushed him and his brothers to follow their dreams, and if it was ice hockey they wanted to pursue, they would aim for the stars. Even today, more than twelve years later, Adam’s brothers also play. Isaac based in Borlänge and Joel plays electric hockey/inline bandy.
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– She said that if you want to bet on hockey, then go all out. School is important, absolutely – but if you want to bet on hockey, go all in if it’s your dream. She wanted my brothers and I to pursue our dreams. She believed in me. I try to believe in myself as much as she believed in me, says Adam about his mother’s support.
The mother’s letter to the children
Elisabeth continued to support her sons long after she left mortal life. When she could no longer be there physically, she found other ways to continue being an important part of the family.
For example, she prepared letters for her boys, so that they would remember her advice and get some guidance in life. It obviously meant a lot to Adam and his brothers.
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– We received letters every birthday until we turned 20. Lots of life tips, about what to prioritize in life. Family will always be number one, but for me hockey has always been number two. I have tried to follow her motto as best I can, he says.
So terribly sad that she passed away so early in life. Only 39 years old, it’s tragic. But they still managed to get so much warmth and love from their mother.
Life can be really unfair. We send a hug of strength to Adam Ollas Mattsson and his family.
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