PHOTO: Bildbyrån
Dick Axelsson has once and for all put the skates on the shelf.
Life today looks different compared to during his career.
– Mother thought we should have a family meeting about whether I should quit or not, says Axelsson to Sportbibeln.
After ending his career 2-3 times before and then making a comeback, decided Dick Axelsson finally to end his hockey career properly in the fall. The 36-year-old’s last stop was a game in Brödernas/Väsby, before his knees gave out.
Axelsson’s new life
It has now been just over a month since Axelsson made the announcement, and life and routines without hockey are starting to take shape.
What does life look like after the professional hockey career? What do you do these days?
– Trying to find myself… Haha, no. I’m out walking every morning. I always start the day with 10,000 steps, after I’ve dropped little man off at preschool. And then I try to call around to everyone I know to come up with something. So it’s not glamorous right now, I can say that.
– But it’s actually very nice to have this time right now. I usually say that – until I know what I’m going to do when I grow up. So, that’s it, I try to come up with things, but it’s difficult when many people are also working, says Dick Axelsson to Sportbibeln.
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How much do you miss hockey at the professional level?
– A lot, actually. But it is above all the dressing room, all the team players and coaches and physios, the materials and all that is called. And the matches, of course. But this physical training and training, I don’t miss it one bit frankly. But the rest, very much actually.
Dick misses it
Would you say that’s the best thing about being out of professional hockey?
– Yes, I can say that. I think you’ll miss it soon too, but right now it’s what’s closest to the brain anyway. You’ve done those tough summers and everything with training and everything that entails. Then it has its charm too, but now that you’ve finally given up, you can say that, even though it’s really that important.
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The last club at professional level was Djurgården. Axelsson’s first stay in DIF was during the seasons 07/08–08/09. Ten years and five clubs passed before he returned in the 18/19 season. The former player is widely associated with Djurgården, but admits that he has been weak in supporting the team on the ground this season.
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The relation to Dif
How much do you follow Djurgården today?
– Unfortunately too little. Especially with children, it has actually become way too little. I wish there were more weekend games of course. I was at the derby last time, and it’s the only game I’ve seen at the venue so far. But I have sworn and been disappointed. At the same time, when you know yourself how much you have played, it is not now that it is decided. But all in all – far too little to really express myself.
Dick can imagine a leadership role in the future, but it won’t be in Djurgården.
– There has been a cool interest there in many ways. So no, I won’t stand in Djurgården.
Axelsson has previously retired, only to start playing again not long after. But this time it’s official – there will be no more hockey for the Stockholmer.
– I get that question about ten times a day sometimes. But no, in the end I promised everyone around me not to start again. Of course, the person who was saddest was my mother, who thought we should have a family meeting if I was going to quit or not. So I had to buck the trend a bit and say it was my decision. So now, no, there will be nothing more, Dick Axelsson promises.
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