PHOTO: Bildbyrån
Today we pay tribute to one of Swedish hockey’s great profiles.
TV expert Niklas Wikegård turns 60 years old.
And now reveals dark thoughts about life.
60 years, that’s how long the outspoken has Niklas Wikegård now wandered through life. As a 19-year-old, he made his debut in the Elitserien as a young hockey back in Brynäs.
Wikegård’s career
But the playing career was unfortunately not to be so successful and due to tough injury problems he was forced to put his skates on the shelf at an early age. Instead, he became a young coach who helped take “Vilda Väsby” to the Elitserien in the 80s.
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Wikegård has also coached Djurgården, Malmö Redhawks and Swiss EHC Chur during his career. But the coaching career also came to an end when the hockey player wanted to spend more time with his family and took the step over to the television industry instead.
Dark thoughts
There have been many years at TV4 and Niklas Wikegård is one of our most high-profile and popular hockey experts today. He is never afraid to say what he thinks and is nationally known for roaring in the hockey broadcasts.
He is again highly topical in a new SHL season, but alongside hockey, thoughts about life come in connection with his 60th birthday.
– It feels like life goes really fast. The days, months, years just disappear as you get older. It’s a bit scary, he admits in an interview with SportExpressen.
“So damn scared”
Although it is obviously tough thoughts to have in the fall of age, he is also honest that it is not about any fear of death.
– No, not those kinds of thoughts. I am not afraid that life will end immediately. But you feel that you are not as quick in your step. It hurts a little in the middle and you are not as energetic, says Wikegård.
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But when it comes to the energy in the opinions for Swedish hockey, there is nothing that wavers immediately. The flame to continue to like and make his voice heard still burns just as strongly in Niklas Wikegård.
READ MORE: Niklas Wikegård has had enough – points out the worst thing about Swedish hockey right now: “I’m scared”
Recently, a video went viral and was heavily discussed in hockey Sweden where a junior coach scolds his players in the middle of the game. Many want to see the coach fired, but Wikegård is going against the grain here.
– I am so surprised that it has even become a question. It is not a personal attack on anyone, no sex words or the like. He raises his voice and thinks the team should play better, says Wikegård to the evening newspaper and continues:
– Raising your voice can mean harsh words, but usually you do it with a big heart and passion. It must be allowed as long as it is on the right side of the border. But like I said, everyone is so fucking afraid of that. My dad always said “you can’t say it’s good if it’s bad”. In between, you have to speak clearly. Then not all coaches have to raise their voice, you have to have your own coaching style.
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