PHOTO: Bildbyrån
Håkan Loob is one of Swedish hockey’s great profiles.
And the icon’s greatest moment in Tre Kronor is the Olympic gold in 1994.
But now Loob reveals an unknown detail 29 years after the criminal drama.
There are few Swedish hockey players who can measure up Håkan Loobs impressive track record. From Gotland and the small parent club IK Graips, he has since conquered the hockey world and written himself into the history books forever.
Håkan’s record
Because despite his 176 centimeters, the short right forward was a giant on the ice and a real scoring machine in his very best moments. In 1982/83, Loob broke the Elitserien scoring record with an unparalleled 76 points in just 36 games, a hard-to-beat record that still stands today in the SHL.
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In addition, the Gotlander became the very first Swede in the NHL to reach the dream limit of 50 goals. Nor has anyone else managed to surpass or repeat it since, despite the fact that Swedish hockey has had many offensive big players in North America in the years that followed.
Loob in Three Crowns
The legend most associated with Färjestad and the Calgary Flames is also a proud member of the Triple Gold Club after winning the Stanley Cup, World Cup gold and Olympic gold. Loob can actually look back on a fine national team career with double World Cup gold in 1987 and 1991 as well as the unforgettable Olympic gold in 1994.
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This is what he himself says about the best memory from each gold medal. First up is the WC 1987:
– The receipt everyone is talking about. I passed behind the back of Sandström, who scored 2-2 against the Russians. I’ve been asked if my pass was thought out, but that sort of thing just happens, heroes are born or not. The first few times I faced the Russians, we didn’t stand a chance. But we slowly got closer. In the spring of 87 we were better, he says in an interview with SportExpressen and moves on to the 1991 WC.
– Mats Sundin’s two goals to 4-4 against Finland and his decision against the Russians.
READ MORE: Håkan Loob names the five best players in the SHL of all time – the icon nods both “Foppa” and himself
Then Håkan Loob reveals an unknown detail from the classic penalty drama in the Lillehammer Olympics in 1994. Which ended in one of Swedish hockey’s most unforgettable moments with a young Peter Forsberg’s cheeky penalty variant.
– I had actually quit the national team, but Curre Lundmark persuaded me to join. He was nagging like the only one. We had a hard time in Färjestad that season. Finally I said yes. But I said no to hitting a second penalty in the final. I missed my first one! I told Curre to take those who scored. And it turned out well, haha. In such situations, the head can get in the way and you become your own worst enemy, Loob admits to the evening newspaper.
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